As the name suggests, wisdom teeth emerge much later than your other teeth, and it’s not uncommon for these to arrive well into your twenties. On the whole, wisdom teeth appear without any pain or problems.
However, in some cases, their arrival can cause some complications or discomfort, making removal the best course of action. In this guide, we will look at when and why wisdom teeth might need to be removed, with the aim to support you to make a more informed decision regarding your own oral health.
Contents
- What Are Wisdom Teeth and When Do They Emerge?
- 5 Common Problems Associated with Wisdom Teeth
- Signs & Symptoms That Indicate a Problem
- When Extraction Becomes Necessary: Medical Indications
- The Evaluation Process: X-rays and Dental Assessment
- What to Expect During and After Wisdom Teeth Removal
- Living with Wisdom Teeth: When Removal Isn’t Needed
What Are Wisdom Teeth and When Do They Emerge?
Wisdom teeth develop much later than your other teeth, and in some cases, they may not even arrive at all. For those who do grow wisdom teeth, it is expected that they will arrive between your late teens and mid-twenties, but of course, this is just an approximation.
Historically, wisdom teeth were required to grind tough foods, but a change in diet in today’s world has almost left them without purpose.
Additionally, modern developments in jaw size and structure means that many people simply don’t have enough room for wisdom teeth, so when they do emerge, this can cause significant pain or other problems.
5 Common Problems Associated with Wisdom Teeth
Not every person will experience difficulties when their wisdom teeth arrive. However, here are the most common complications they can bring:
- Discomfort: Emerging wisdom teeth can add pressure to the jaw and gums, making this an uncomfortable experience to go through.
- Impaction: Impaction happens when wisdom teeth try to break through, but have no room to grow due to existing teeth. Impacted wisdom teeth can be fully or partially blocked and can also become quite painful.
- Crowding: A lack of space can impact the positioning of your existing teeth, as they try to make room for the wisdom teeth to emerge.
- Tooth decay: Wisdom teeth are much more likely to have decay issues due to their hard-to-reach position in the mouth.
- Infection: Gums can become infected where partially erupted wisdom teeth create a pocket of bacteria.
Signs & Symptoms That Indicate a Problem
There are a number of warning signs your body will give you if your wisdom teeth are becoming a problem. Here’s what to look out for:
- Pain: Pain, throbbing or any form of persisting discomfort at the back of your mouth is not normal, and could be a sign of problematic wisdom teeth.
- Swelling: If you notice any redness or swelling in the back of your mouth, we would recommend getting this checked out.
- Stiff jaw: Impacted wisdom teeth can also affect the jaw muscles, making it difficult to open your mouth fully.
- Other aches and pains: Jaw pressure may also impact other areas and cause headaches or earaches.
Although these symptoms may seem minor at first, however if ignored, they are likely to become much worse. If you notice any of these, or feel that something isn’t right, it’s always best to get checked over by your dentist.
When Extraction Becomes Necessary: Medical Indications
Many wisdom teeth emerge without any issues, and this does not impact the individual in any way. However, these are the times when extraction may be the best way forward:
- Impaction: Impacted wisdom teeth are unlikely to emerge properly; therefore, it is often better to remove them altogether.
- Recurring issues: Repetitive occasions of gum disease or other infections will result in the problem tooth being removed.
- Crowding: Wisdom teeth will be extracted if they cause excessive crowding in the mouth, or their arrival damages other teeth in the process.
- Orthodontic purposes: If you’ve previously had braces, it is possible that the new wisdom tooth will reconfigure the alignment of your existing teeth.
The Evaluation Process: X-rays and Dental Assessment
Although it’s beneficial to remain informed regarding dental treatment and processes, your dentist will have the final say when it comes to your wisdom tooth removal.
You will be invited to a consultation where you can share your concerns, and your dentist will complete a full medical and dental history.
This will include a physical examination of your teeth and gums, as well as an X-ray so they can see the exact position of your wisdom tooth.
What to Expect During and After Wisdom Teeth Removal
Here’s what will happen during and after your procedure:
During
- Depending on your situation, your dentist will perform the procedure under local or general anaesthetic or sedation.
- For impacted teeth, a small incision will be made into the gum.
- The tooth will be extracted either as a whole or in parts.
- The area will be cleaned and stitched if necessary.
After
- Expect to experience some mild pain, swelling or bruising around the jaw.
- Control the discomfort with over-the-counter medication or ice packs.
- Restrict your diet for a few days to contain softer foods.
- Keep the area clean to avoid infection.
Living with Wisdom Teeth: When Removal Isn’t Needed
The emergence of wisdom teeth doesn’t always result in removal; many people live with their wisdom teeth without any issues at all.
If your wisdom teeth have fully erupted, and you haven’t noticed any pain, overcrowding or alignment concerns with your surrounding teeth, then it’s likely that you are one of the lucky ones. With that being said, just as the same as your other teeth, wisdom teeth should be checked regularly, as even those that are symptom free could have an upcoming concern.
A routine check-up with your dentist enables them to pick up any issues early on, to prevent them from becoming a bigger problem down the line. However, if you do notice anything out of the ordinary, don’t wait until your next appointment, and get in touch with your dentist as soon as possible.
Early detection could save you a lot of time, money and pain in the future.
