More than likely, you or someone you know has had one (or all) of their wisdom teeth removed. Did you know that these teeth got their name from a 17th-century old wives tale that says once you grew wisdom teeth you were no longer a child but you were considered wise and mature? Well, modern dentistry kicks that old story to the curb, but the name attributed to those four back most teeth has stuck.
What Are Wisdom Teeth?
Your wisdom teeth are located at the very back of your mouth. They are the last molars which can be found on each side of your jaw. Of all your teeth, they are usually the last to come in. The majority of wisdom teeth grow in just as you reach your teenage years and can even emerge as late as your early 20’s. Although most of us don’t experience any problems, others need to have them removed, and quickly!
Your mouth stops growing long before your wisdom teeth emerge, this often leads to there not being enough space left to accommodate them properly. When wisdom teeth don’t have enough room to grow, they can become impacted. Any tooth that is stuck under the gum tissue can become impacted which will result in pain, tenderness and swelling around the impaction site.
Partially emerged wisdom teeth or those that emerge at an angle can result in crowding in your mouth. This can be painful and can also lead to other oral health issues. Your teeth develop roots as you age, teeth that are removed before a person reaches the age of 20 results in fewer complications. You should plan a visit with one of our skilled dentist here at Weston Dental to have your wisdom teeth evaluated to determine if removal is the best option.
How Are Wisdom Teeth Removed?
Some people don’t have wisdom teeth. Approximately 35% of the population never grows wisdom teeth. If you or someone you know has pain, unrelenting headaches, or jaw pain, it’s possible that it’s time for those wisdom teeth to come out.
Extracting a tooth sounds much worse than it actually is. Having one or more wisdom teeth removed is a safe routine procedure, that usually only takes 15-20 minutes. Our dentist will administer local anesthesia to numb the gum and surrounding area, or general anesthesia if you prefer to sleep during the procedure.
Once the tooth is removed, the dentist will stitch the wound closed if the tooth was large, and then have you lightly bite on sterile gauze for an hour to reduce bleeding. You may experience some pain, soreness, or stiffness in the jaw area but nothing excessive. You may also experience some swelling in the area, which will lessen over time.
How Weston Dental Can Help
Paying attention to your oral health is the wise thing to do. Should you develop jaw stiffness or swelling, you should check with your dentist here at Weston Dental Office to see if you have a gum infection related to your wisdom teeth. We are always standing by to help, give us a call at (416) 247-1928 to schedule an appointment.