With age comes wisdom, and for some people, wisdom teeth. Your last adult teeth are your third molars, also known as wisdom teeth, that grow around late adolescence or early young adulthood. While these teeth can sometimes emerge with no issues, there are many people who will encounter pain, gum disease, tooth crowding, and other issues as wisdom teeth erupt. Learn about when you should see a dentist about having your wisdom teeth removed.
When Should Wisdom Teeth Come Out?
In general, you only need to have your wisdom teeth removed when they cause oral health issues or discomfort. The most common complication when your adult teeth emerge is tooth impaction, which occurs when the teeth grow at an odd angle and never emerge from the gums at the back of your mouth.
An impacted tooth can grow crooked or sideways, or even at a 180-degree angle. When this happens, nearby teeth may experience excessive pressure that can cause tooth shifting and crowding. When your wisdom teeth haven’t fully emerged and grow crooked, it may cause excessive pain and infections that can require emergency dental intervention. Other reasons to remove your wisdom teeth include:
Gum Disease
Impacted teeth can cause gum inflammation and gum disease by making it difficult to clean between significantly crowded teeth. In severe cases, the inability to properly clean your teeth can allow plaque, food, and bacteria to get beneath your gum line, which can cause bacteria to fester and cause inflammation.
Gum inflammation is a serious issue that needs to be addressed as soon as possible. Once gum disease progresses to a certain point, it can cause long-lasting changes to your oral health, such as receding gums that don’t properly anchor teeth in the mouth. Additionally, gingivitis and other gum diseases can make eating uncomfortable and may impact other aspects of your health.
Jaw Pain
Jaw pain is another common reason to see a dentist for wisdom tooth removal as soon as possible. A stiff jaw or jaw pain is typically a sign that your teeth are impacted. Some people experience such extreme jaw pain and stiffness that opening their mouth is difficult or painful. Jaw pain is commonly paired with difficulty biting down evenly since the impacted teeth may shift the position of nearby teeth.
Oral Cysts
In severe cases, impacted wisdom teeth can cause oral cysts, which are fluid sacs that develop in the gums and jaw. Oral cysts can become infected and cause the decay or infection of nearby tooth roots, and may even become severe enough to damage your jawbone. If you notice pain when you eat, significantly inflamed gums, or bad breath that doesn’t get better when you brush or use mouthwash, you should schedule an appointment with a dentist right away.
Sinus Issues
The roots of your upper molars are anchored near your sinus floor, which means that impacted upper wisdom teeth may cause sinus issues for some people. Sinus issues can range from persistent congestion and sinus pressure to headaches that come and go. If your sinus issues are persistent or becoming worse, it may be time to see a dentist, particularly if you have other signs pointing to impacted wisdom teeth.
What Are Early Signs of Wisdom Teeth Coming In?
The signs of your wisdom teeth coming in are similar to the signs of teething young children may experience, particularly signs like discomfort, gum inflammation, and even facial swelling. Some people may notice new tooth sensitivity as the teeth emerge if they place too much pressure on nearby dental roots and nerves. You may even experience headaches as they come in.
On the other hand, some people are fortunate enough to not experience any discomfort as wisdom teeth emerge. However, even if you don’t notice your last set of adult teeth coming in, you may notice other signs later down the road, such as a change in tooth alignment that alters your smile or your bite when you chew food.
How Long Does It Take for Teeth to Emerge?
For some people, wisdom teeth can emerge in as little as a year, while for others, the process may take several years. If you experience significant pain, discomfort, or oral health issues during this time, you should see a dentist about emergency wisdom tooth removal or other interventions.
What Can You Do About Oral Pain?
If you are experiencing swollen gums associated with your wisdom teeth, you can use an antiseptic mouthwash or rinse your mouth with warm salty water several times a day. A soft toothbrush can be used to gently massage the tender gums with your oral rinse to help remove food particles, plaque, and bacteria while you wait for your dental appointment.
Additionally, you may want to stick to eating soft foods like eggs, cheese, oatmeal, and soup to reduce eating discomfort. Foods like popcorn, chips, hard candy, and gum can put more pressure on sensitive gums. Some people may also use OTC pain relief, such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or a combination of both, to manage pain.
Can You See Wisdom Teeth on X-Rays?
For many people, wisdom teeth are visible on X-rays early on in adolescence, usually between ages 10 and 12. Specific types of X-rays can pinpoint the location of each wisdom tooth and may help dentists predict the position of the teeth as you grow. If your wisdom teeths haven’t come in yet, you can ask your dentist for an X-ray or a 3D scan to assess your adult teeth and help plan for an extraction.
What Can You Expect From Wisdom Tooth Removal?
Typically, the procedure to remove your wisdom teeth is done with sedation dentistry, such as laughing gas, IV sedation, general anesthesia, or local anesthesia. During the procedure, your dentist will make incisions to expose the area, remove the teeth, clean the extraction site to remove bacteria, and stitch the area closed. The procedure typically takes about an hour.
Your recovery period after this procedure may take as long as two weeks. During this time, you should take medications as prescribed, follow aftercare instructions to prevent dry sockets, rest as much as possible, and stick to a soft food diet. It’s important to keep up with your normal oral hygiene to reduce bacteria in the mouth so you can have a smooth recovery period.
Can Wisdom Teeth Be Removed Preventatively?
Sometimes, your dentist may recommend removing wisdom teeth before they emerge to prevent complications. This is commonly done with a 3D scan or X-ray that shows that the wisdom teeth will grow sideways or are likely to become impacted. Removing these teeth preemptively can prevent tooth decay, infections, and gum disease, so you may want to speak with your dentist about the possibility.
When your wisdom teeth emerge, you may have complications like jaw pain or gum inflammation. To prevent oral discomfort, you can work with your dentist to create a proactive plan to remove your last set of adult teeth before they become impacted
Do You Need To Have Your Wisdom Teeth Removed In The Martinsburg Area?
If you need to have your wisdom teeth removed you owe it to yourself to speak with an experienced dentist as soon as possible. Please feel free to contact us online or call our Martinsburg, West Virginia dental office directly at 304.267.6059 to schedule your appointment. We provide a wide range of general dentistry care as well as more involved dentistry services for patients throughout the Martinsburg area and look forward to you joining the Cornerstone Dental family.
