Wisdom teeth are the molars at the very rear of your mouth. These rear molars are the last molars to come in and typically push the other teeth out of the way. The teeth usually appear between the ages of 16 and 25. Wisdom teeth usually have to be removed because they create problems with chewing food, they can get cavities, and can crowd other teeth.
When To See A Doctor.
In some situations, all four wisdom teeth come out (erupt) at once and a person’s mouth can accommodate the space for them. However, it is more common that wisdom teeth to grow at an angle and stay trapped (impacted) under the gum tissue. This is where the problems originate.
Symptoms of Wisdom Tooth Issues
When those 3rd molar teeth begin to shift, it can cause a number of uncomfortable symptoms that can be difficult to miss. Those include:
- Tooth pain near the back of your mouth
- Trapped food between erupted wisdom teeth and other molars.
- Gum sensitivity and disease around the molars
- Cavities and sensitivity in erupted wisdom teeth
- Infection around one or more wisdom teeth
- Pain or discomfort from wisdom teeth making contact with other teeth or your jaw bone.
Wisdom Tooth Removal
In many cases, Dr. Martin will recommend wisdom teeth extraction in order to prevent the pain and discomfort of the symptoms above. If your x-rays indicate future issues with your wisdom teeth, Dr. Martin may recommend extraction even before symptoms begin. In other cases, your symptoms may have you knocking at our door.
What to Expect
There are many myths about wisdom tooth removal that can cause anxiety and fear of the procedure. Rest assured, you are in great hands. The experienced Waco Dental is focused on providing a great experience with outstanding results.
Anesthetics
Your doctor may use a combination of anesthetics to make sure you are comfortable including local and general anesthesia. Dr. Martin will discuss your options and recommend the best options based on your procedure requirements.
Extraction
If your tooth has not erupted, a small incision will be made in the gum to access it. The tooth may then be cut into smaller pieces to make it easier to remove from the small incision. If the tooth has already erupted, there is less need for any incision.
You should not feel any pain as your wisdom tooth is removed. The area will be completely numb and you may even be asleep throughout the entire procedure. However, if you do feel pain, tell Dr. Martin by raising your hand. He can then adjust your anesthesia as needed.
After Care
If you had a local anesthetic only, you may feel awake and alert. In that case, you may be able to drive home yourself. If general anesthesia was part of your extraction process, you may feel drowsy for a few minutes after the procedure. Everyone responds differently to anesthesia and you can speak to Dr. Martin about any concerns you may have.
Once at home, your full recovery is our priority. Most people feel little to no pain after surgery and any discomfort is usually managed by over-the-counter pain medication. Mild swelling and discomfort are normal, but if you experience severe pain or are having trouble sleeping, contact us immediately.
It can take a few weeks for the gums to completely heal. We will give you a list of recovery aids that can help you support your healing process.
