Most people don’t get their wisdom teeth until they are in their late teens or early 20s, or even later. Wisdom teeth are the four large molars situated right at the back of the mouth, two in the upper jaw and two in the lower jaw. Some people are lucky and find these teeth come through without any problems, but this isn’t always the case, and other times they can cause significant issues that can be very painful and need dental treatment to address.
If you have yet to get your wisdom teeth and visit West Bowmanville Family Dental regularly, then you can rest assured we are keeping a close eye on their development and the position in your jawbone using digital dental x-rays. These x-rays allow us to assess if your wisdom teeth are developing normally. If there is a good chance they can come through without causing any problems, then we wouldn’t recommend removing them. However, if it is clear there is no chance your wisdom teeth can come through without affecting your dental health, we will suggest removing them.
Why Do Wisdom Teeth Cause Problems?
Because wisdom teeth are the last to emerge, all your adult teeth are already in place, and there is often too little room to accommodate these large molar teeth. Consequently, they can cause problems with overcrowding existing teeth and may be unable to erupt properly. It’s not unusual for wisdom teeth to become stuck in the jawbone because they cannot erupt, a problem known as impacted wisdom teeth in Newcastle. Other times wisdom teeth may partially erupt so that you can see part of the tooth in the mouth, but the rest remains covered with a flap of gum.
A partially erupted wisdom tooth in Clarington can cause significant problems because it is more likely to become infected and decayed. The partly covered tooth is extremely difficult to keep clean, and the gum can easily trap food and bacteria. Another problem is where a wisdom tooth will try to come through sideways in the gum or where it begins to cause a cyst in the jawbone.
Signs Your Wisdom Teeth May Be Causing Problems
If you haven’t seen a dentist recently and have yet to get your wisdom teeth and are concerned they are causing problems, here are some of the signs to look out for and which can include:
- Swollen gums around the tooth or gums that look red
- Bad breath or a nasty taste that you cannot get rid of, even when you brush and floss
- The affected gum may begin to ooze pus where it is infected
- Your lymph nodes just underneath your jaw may begin to swell up
- It could become more difficult to swallow or move your jaw comfortably
- You could develop a fever
Any of these signs are cause for concern, so it is a good idea to make an appointment to see an emergency dentist in Courtice as soon as possible. An emergency dentist can examine your wisdom teeth and take dental x-rays to determine if they need to come out.
Is Wisdom Tooth Removal Painful?
You can rest assured you will receive a local anesthetic to numb the tooth in question, so removing it shouldn’t feel painful. If the extraction is likely to be more complicated or you need several teeth removed, you might be offered additional sedation to ensure you feel comfortable and relaxed. Removing a wisdom tooth doesn’t take very long; afterwards, the gum is either stitched shut or left open to heal. You might feel slight discomfort as it heals, but this should disappear after a few days. If it persists, get in touch with your dentist for further advice.