Wisdom Teeth Eruption
Most people’s wisdom teeth start to erupt sometime during their late-teen years to no later than their late 20s. Although most people do develop their third molars, some people never get them at all. If they haven’t erupted before you’ve hit age 30, there’s a good chance they are either missing or impacted.
How do you know if your wisdom teeth are coming in? Some of the most common types of wisdom teeth symptoms that indicate the 3rd molars are beginning to develop or erupt, may include:
- Gum swelling
- Soreness
- Pain on opening
- Headaches
- Bad breath or bad taste
- Infections or cavities in the back teeth
Are My Wisdom Teeth Impacted?
Impaction means your wisdom teeth are wedged into place due to lack of spacing or the tooth erupting at an angle. In most cases, it’s angled into and against the tooth next to it. This can lead to problems in the healthy tooth unless the issue is intercepted as soon as possible.
Can wisdom teeth cause jaw pain or hurt your jaw? The most common wisdom teeth pain symptoms involve soreness at the back of the mouth near the gums. Sometimes pressure can lead to off-and-on pain or discomfort that radiates into the jaw (TMJ).
If we suspect that your wisdom teeth are causing problems or need to be evaluated, we’ll take an X-ray of the area to fully assess the situation.
When Should I Keep My Wisdom Teeth?
Can you keep your wisdom teeth? If they’re healthy and have plenty of room to erupt, then yes. But if your third molars are pushing against the adjacent teeth or impacted in the bone, then probably not.
How do you make wisdom teeth pain go away? Typically, by removing them. When lack of space or infection is a problem, the discomfort doesn’t tend to improve over time. Rather, it’s an indication that you need to talk to a dentist about having your wisdom teeth taken out.
Because of their location, wisdom teeth often do not erupt all of the way. This makes them challenging to clean and more susceptible to cavities and gum disease. When infection does take root, it’s best to remove wisdom teeth rather than invest in restorative treatments.
For people whose wisdom teeth come in without any complications, as long as they are able to thoroughly clean (including floss) them each day, it may be possible to retain them. Seeing our Long Jetty dentist for routine exams is the best way to monitor the area and intercept infection before it becomes more severe.
Wisdom Teeth Removal (Extraction): What to Expect
Is wisdom tooth removal painful? Not necessarily. Having your molar taken out is similar to other types of dental extractions.
But, is wisdom teeth removal surgery? Typically, yes. Because they’re usually impacted, removing them requires additional steps to ensure a gentle and effective extraction.
As with any type of dental treatment, we will thoroughly numb the area around the extraction site so that the only thing you will usually feel is a bit of pressure. Depending on your comfort level, we can also arrange for dental sedation in our Central Coast practice. With deeper relaxation options, you can rest assured that the process will be as simple as possible.
Wisdom teeth removal prices vary, depending on the anatomy of the tooth being removed, if it’s impacted, and whether or not resources such as sedation or a surgery centre are needed.
Being referred to a specialist (such as an oral surgeon) typically costs more than having the tooth taken out by your family dentist. Varying types of dental sedation (such as oral sedatives vs. general anaesthesia) will also affect the pricing.
Wisdom Teeth Recovery Time and Pain
How long does it take for the “hole” to close after a wisdom tooth extraction? At least a few days for the clot to form, and up to 10-14 days before it’s fully healed. In the meantime, follow your home care instructions precisely to reduce your risk of developing a painful dry socket.
Some of the things you should do, include:
- Stick to a soft diet for the first several days
- Do not smoke, drink carbonated beverages, or use a straw
- Clean the surgical site as instructed
- Wait a few days before brushing near the extraction area
- Rinse gently with warm salt water to remove food debris and lessen swelling
Wisdom Teeth Extraction and Surgery on the Central Coast
At Helix Dentistry, our Central Coast practice offers comprehensive dental exams, wisdom tooth consultations, and in-house extractions.
If you suspect that your wisdom teeth are the source of your dental pain, or your teen is starting to experience symptoms of impacted third molars, call our office to schedule an evaluation. We’ll be happy to answer any questions that you might have!
