Wisdom teeth, which are also referred to as third molars, are the final set of teeth to emerge in the mouth. People usually have four wisdom teeth: two on the top and two on the bottom of their jaw. That's because our ancestors had bigger jaws and needed more molars to break down tough foods. But today's diets and smaller jaws mean that wisdom teeth aren't needed for chewing.
The wisdom teeth usually start to come in between the ages of 17 and 25, but this can change. The eruption of wisdom teeth can happen at different times for different people. It's possible for wisdom teeth to stay hidden and impacted for a long time after they form.
Knowing the signs that your wisdom teeth are coming in can help you deal with the pain sooner. Some common signs are gum pain in the back of your mouth, mild swelling, and a strange feeling of pressure in your jaw. Sometimes, you can feel the edges of your wisdom teeth poking through your gums. Getting regular dental check-ups can help find these changes early.
A lot of people have pain, swelling, or even headaches when their wisdom teeth come in. The gums around the area could get swollen, which would make it hard to chew. Sometimes, only part of the wisdom teeth come in. This leaves a space for bacteria to enter, which can cause infections. If you have bad breath, an unpleasant taste in your mouth, or swollen glands under your jaw that won't go away, you may need to see a dentist.
While not all wisdom teeth need to be taken out, it is usually best to do so when they are causing problems. Some common reasons are pain, recurring infections, or the chance of damaging teeth nearby. If you don't give your wisdom teeth enough room to come in properly, they could get stuck under your gums or grow sideways. Usually, dentists will suggest removal to avoid future problems.
Keeping wisdom teeth that are impacted comes with a number of risks. They can mess up your alignment by pushing on nearby teeth, which could cause your teeth to become crowded or out of place. When wisdom teeth get stuck, they can cause cysts or even damage the roots of nearby teeth, which leads to more serious dental problems. Regular dental checkups can help find these problems early and decide if an extraction is needed.pecially if they already have crowns or veneers on their teeth that don't whiten well.
Getting rid of your wisdom teeth is usually an outpatient procedure. Depending on how hard the case is and how comfortable the patient wants to be, the dentist or oral surgeon may use local anesthesia, sedation, or general anesthesia to do the extraction. The dentist is taken out through a small cut in the gum. Sometimes, the tooth is cut into two or more pieces to make it easier to remove. Most of the time, the process takes thirty minutes to an hour.
Recovery time after having a wisdom tooth pulled varies, but is usually between one and two weeks. Most of the time, the pain and swelling get better over the first 48 to 72 hours. Using ice packs, taking it easy, and eating soft foods can all help you deal with your symptoms better. During the recovery period, staying away from strenuous activities, smoking, and straws lowers the risk of complications. If you carefully follow your dentist's instructions, you will heal more quickly.
Of course, you can keep your wisdom teeth as long as they come in all the way, fit properly, and don't hurt or cause other dental problems. Getting regular dental checkups is important for keeping an eye on the health of wisdom teeth that are still in place. Tooth decay and gum disease can be avoided by taking care of your teeth and getting regular cleanings.
If you don't get your wisdom teeth taken out, they could cause long-term problems like pain, infections, and damage to the teeth and gums around them. If you don't treat impacted wisdom teeth, they can turn into cysts or tumors, which will need more complicated treatments in the future. Many of these problems can be avoided with regular care and quick action, which is good for your oral health.
In conclusion, knowing about your wisdom teeth and the problems they might cause can help you make smart choices about your oral health. Going to our dentist regularly gives you personalized advice and helps you handle any new problems quickly.