Why are Wisdom Teeth a problem?
Wisdom teeth can cause a variety of oral problems, most notably, pain and irritation in the case of impacted molars.
Healthy, properly aligned wisdom teeth with room to grow rarely lead to problems. In most cases, wisdom teeth aren’t able to emerge correctly due to a lack of space in the back of the gums. Cramped wisdom teeth will grow in incompletely or crooked. When space completely limits the molars from emerging, they become trapped in your jaw, or impacted.
Symptoms of Impacted Wisdom Teeth
- A bad taste in your mouth
- Difficulty opening your mouth
- Foul breath
- Infected gums
- Pain, stiffness or swelling in the jaw
- Red, swollen, tender or bleeding gums
What’s Causing the Symptoms
Impacted wisdom teeth can grow sideways, causing damage to other teeth in your mouth. More difficult to clean and floss, wisdom teeth are often the most vulnerable to decay and gum inflammation, often leading to gum disease. Impacted molars may cause a fluid sac to form within the jawbone leading to a cyst, potentially affecting your jawbone, teeth and nerves. When it comes to having your wisdom teeth removed, it’s best to have them extracted before symptoms arise.
Turning to Oral Surgery
Wisdom teeth extraction is a common, outpatient procedure. After meeting with you for a consultation, we will explain to you the surgical process. Your doctor will numb the affected area using local anesthetic. You may also be offered nitrous oxide conscious sedation to help relax you throughout the procedure
Your dentist will then make a small incision in your gums to remove the impacted molar from the root. The incision is then stitched shut and backed with gauze.
Recovery
Once your wisdom teeth are removed you’re likely to experience some discomfort, bleeding and swelling. Your dentist will recommend medication for the discomfort and cold presses to decrease the swelling. Swelling will likely reach its peak two to three days after your surgery. Discomfort often lessens after the first three to five days post-surgery, subsiding entirely after the first one to two weeks.
