At some point in most everyone’s life they will have to make a decision to remove their wisdom teeth. Whether it is due to pain, crowding, or another factor some how these final teeth to erupt have no problem letting us know when its time. When this time approaches, it helps to know what you are up against. The purpose of this post is to help recognize the symptoms of a common issue, an impacted wisdom tooth. Though this can be painless, it can lead to severe discomfort if not handled properly.
An impacted tooth is one that is having trouble “erupting” – penetrating the gumline into the oral cavity. there are several complications that can arise from this situation. It can cause infection, pain in nearby teeth or even your ear, a bad taste in your mouth, and difficulty chewing or swallowing. Minor discomfort can sometimes be handled as simply as rinsing with warm salt water, but eventually you are going to want the culprit removed.
Removing an impacted wisdom tooth can take anywhere from 5 to 45 minutes with an experienced dentist oral surgeon. Before removing the tooth, your dentist or surgeon will discuss the procedure and the type of anesthesia and sedatives he or she will use. You will need to fast for six hours before surgery. Someone should drive you to the appointment and drive you home.
After the removal you may have swelling of the cheeks and jaw, and it may be hard to eat certain foods. Follow your dentist’s or surgeon’s instructions carefully for the best recovery. Complications of surgery are rare, but do occur.
Many people have all four of their wisdom teeth taken out at once. Sometimes this surgery is done before the teeth have started coming in. This prevents future problems. Often, it is better to have your wisdom teeth taken out before you turn 21. The surgery usually is less complicated. The tissue and bone also heal better.
Call your dentist if you feel pain in your back teeth. If you visit your dentist regularly, he or she will keep track of your wisdom teeth and let you know if you need to have them taken out. Your dentist may take extra X-rays to check your wisdom teeth. Call us at 919-362-1394 to consult us about your wisdom teeth today.