What are Wisdom Teeth?
Wisdom teeth are the hindmost adult molars that start to emerge between the late teens and early twenties. While some individuals may grow all four wisdom teeth, others may not grow any at all.
What Problems do Wisdom Teeth Cause?
Due to their late emergence compared to other teeth, wisdom teeth often do not have enough space on the jaw to grow. In such cases, the wisdom tooth becomes impacted, and may grow
- At an angle towards the next tooth
- Towards the back of the mouth, or
- Along the jawbone at a right angle.
At other times, it may not break through the gums at all. These complications can sometimes cause painful symptoms.
Symptoms to Look Out For
While impacted wisdom teeth do not always cause symptoms, more often than not, they can lead to
- Red, swollen, tender, or bleeding gums
- Jaw pain and/or swelling
- Bad breath
- An unpleasant taste in your mouth
- Difficulty opening your mouth
If you currently experience any of these symptoms because of your wisdom tooth, don’t hesitate to have it checked as these symptoms can worsen over time.
Treatment for Impacted Wisdom Teeth
The most common treatment is extracting the impacted wisdom tooth. This requires a minor surgical procedure that can be done under local or general anaesthesia.
A cut is made in the gum to remove the tooth. The tooth may be sectioned into smaller pieces depending on its position. Under local anaesthesia, you will be conscious during the procedure, but will not feel pain. While it will not hurt, you may feel some pressure, or hear cracking sounds. Sedation is also available to help you relax and remain calm.
How Long Does it Take to Recover?
Recovery from wisdom teeth extraction typically takes 3 to 7 days. This usually depends on the complexity of the procedure, such as if multiple extractions were done at a go, and if general anaesthetic was administered.
You may be issued some medication to alleviate any pain and swelling, and to aid recovery. Ensure to follow your dentist’s advice on proper oral hygiene to avoid infections.
