What are wisdom teeth?
Wisdom teeth are the upper and lower third molars, located in the back of your mouth. Additionally, they’re the last teeth to develop. Most people’s wisdom teeth come in during their late teens or early twenties.
While wisdom teeth can properly develop, it’s more likely they’ll be misaligned and cause damage to your adjacent teeth. They can also become impacted, meaning they don’t erupt or only partially emerge through your gums.
What symptoms can you expect with impacted wisdom teeth?
If you’re unsure if your wisdom teeth are causing problems, it’s important to pay attention to the following symptoms:
- Foul breath
- Pus discharge in the back of your mouth
- Red, swollen, and bleeding gums
- Pain in the back of your mouth
- Swelling around your jaw
Since your wisdom teeth may never break through the gum line, it’s important to schedule a consultation with the team at Horizon Dental if you’re experiencing these symptoms.
Why do dentists remove wisdom teeth?
The Horizon Dental team may suggest removing your wisdom teeth because they tend to grow slanted or become impacted causing a variety of issues, including:
- Tooth decay
- Gum disease
- Difficulty cleaning
- Damage to your jawbone
- Damage to your other teeth
- Pain in the back of your mouth
- Tooth infections
To determine if your dentist needs to remove your wisdom teeth, the dental team takes X-rays of your jaw and mouth. This helps to see if your wisdom teeth are growing in at an angle or have already damaged your surrounding teeth.
What can I expect following wisdom teeth surgery?
Removal of all four of your wisdom teeth takes roughly two hours. To ensure that you heal properly, it’s important you follow the instructions your dentist provides which includes avoiding strenuous activity for 24 hours along with not using straws to drink beverages since this can dislodge the clots causing a painful condition known as a dry socket.
While extreme side effects are rare, you may experience swelling and pain around your surgery site for the first two days. If this occurs, your dentist recommends you take pain medication.
It’s important to remove your wisdom teeth before they cause dental problems. To learn more about wisdom teeth extractions, call Horizon Dental or schedule your appointment online today.
