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What Exactly Are Your Wisdom Teeth?

Your wisdom teeth are the third molars that develop in the most posterior portion of your mouth (the way back).  They usually grow when you're between the ages of 16 and 25. 

In some cases, wisdom teeth don't cause any problems. For most people, however, they can cause a lot of painful problems. It can be advisable to have them removed when:

  • A wisdom tooth is only partially erupted, meaning it hasn't fully emerged.

  • It's impacted, meaning it's still inside your jaw bone.

  • Its crowding nearby teeth.

  • The tooth is decayed. 

  • Your wisdom teeth are causing sinus pain and pressure.

  • You have cavities, swollen gums and other signs of disease around your wisdom teeth.

When and Why Should You Have Them Removed?

In some cases, a dentist will recommend the removal of the extra molars even if they're not causing any obvious problems. They recommend doing this as a preventive measure.

The reason most dentists encourage removing them at a young age is to prevent future problems. By the time you reach adulthood, your wisdom teeth and your jawbone are harder.

Removing your wisdom teeth at a later age can cause more pain, more extensive bleeding and more complications. It's easier and safer to remove them when you're still young.

Is It Ever OK to Leave Them Alone?

You might be lucky enough to have wisdom teeth that fully emerge, don't crowd out your teeth and don't cause tooth decay. If that's the case, you may not need to remove them.

You should listen to your dentist's advice on this one. Your dentist is able to see emerging problems in your teeth that you may not yet see.

If you really don't want to go through a removal, ask your dentist if it's an urgent situation. If it isn't, you might be fine taking a wait-and-see approach to your wisdom teeth.

What Happens During a Wisdom Tooth Removal?

Removal of your wisdom teeth is an outpatient surgical procedure. Your dentist will start by giving you local, IV sedation or gas anesthesia. Removal of all four teeth typically takes an hour or two.

After the surgery, you may experience some swelling, soreness and slight bleeding for the first day or two. Follow your doctor's aftercare instructions carefully. They will probably include these pointers:

  • Don't drink through a straw while you're healing. The sucking motion could interfere with blood clots in your mouth.

  • Don't eat hard or crunchy foods. 

  • Don't smoke

Contact Malan Family Dentistry to Learn More

Are your back teeth swollen and painful? Do you think it might be your wisdom teeth? You should consult a dentist about any unexplained pain and swelling. If it's your wisdom teeth, we'll make arrangements to have them removed quickly, safely and painlessly. Contact us today.