The wisdom teeth, or your third molars, are the last teeth to emerge in the mouth. Usually, they come out in your late teens or early 20s. And because the jaws are already developed at this age, often, the wisdom tooth does not have enough space in the mouth to come in properly. Because of this, they may remain partially impacted in the bone or not come out at all.
An impacted wisdom tooth is when only some parts of the tooth can be seen in the mouth while the rest remain embedded in the bone. And if fully impacted, the entire tooth remains deep in the bone and can only be detected with an X-ray. Both situations may cause several dental problems if left on their own. This is why many patients opt to have their impacted wisdom tooth removed before they experience problems in the future.
How to Know If Your Wisdom Tooth is Coming In
The wisdom teeth emerge at a certain age. But sometimes, it may be early or delayed.
There are several telltale signs that you should watch out for as this may indicate that your wisdom tooth is ready to come in:
- White spot at the gums behind the 2nd molars
- Pain at the back of the mouth
- Discomfort when chewing or biting
- Swollen or strained jaws
- Misaligned teeth
- Uncomfortable bite
- Ear and headaches
If you feel like your wisdom tooth is about to come out, it is best to consult your dentist on the next step. While the fortunate few need not have their wisdom tooth removed, most will experience pain and problems that demand wisdom tooth removal.
Wisdom Teeth Infection Symptoms
Aside from severe pain, one of the severe dental risks of an impacted wisdom tooth is wisdom tooth infection. This often involves a series of dental concerns. So, urgent care and treatment are needed.
Severe pain that radiates to the head
A wisdom tooth infection can be so extensive that the pain affects not only the mouth but also the ear and head. Some patients report being unable to go about their day because of severe pain.
Difficulty when eating, chewing
The jaws are one of the areas that are primarily affected by an infected wisdom tooth. Because of this, you may find it difficult to open and close your mouth. So, eating and chewing can be a problem.
Swollen gums
The infection may spread further to affect the gums covering the tooth. Inflamed gums may also bleed easily and cause severe pain, especially when you accidentally bite on them.
Facial asymmetry
When the infection is left untreated for too long, it will eventually cause half of the face to swell.
Fever, swollen lymph
Systemic symptoms such as fever and lymph node swelling are indications of a severe condition that need emergency care. At this point, the body is reacting to fight off the infection.
If you are experiencing the following, please schedule an emergency dental visit. Wisdom teeth infection may rapidly spread to affect surrounding teeth and the rest of your body. Wisdom teeth removal is recommended as soon as possible.
Wisdom Tooth Removal Process
At Sierra Dental, we have expert dental surgeons with reliable skills and knowledge for a relatively pain-free and comfortable wisdom tooth extraction procedure.
The basic 3-step wisdom tooth removal process involves:
Accessing the area
After numbing the extraction area with a local anesthetic, we will access the tooth for a better and safer tooth removal process. We will open a flap and create a hole over the gum and bone covering the tooth.
Removing the tooth
Then, the tooth will be sectioned using a bur. This will help for easier removal. Depending on the angulation of the tooth, it can be sectioned in 2 – 4. Some wisdom teeth need no sectioning and can be removed in one go.
Cleaning the extraction site
An important part of the wisdom tooth removal process is using a curette to clean the surgical site gently. This is done to prevent cysts from forming, which may occur if infected tissue material is left.
Closing the wound
Once cleaned, the last step is to suture the wound in place. This prevents bacteria and food debris from going in and causing post-extraction infection. Then, you will be asked to bite on a gauze after the treatment to help control bleeding.
Wisdom Tooth Removal Aftercare
Proper aftercare guidelines help with faster and better healing after your wisdom tooth removal. You may experience some post-operative bleeding, discomfort, and sensitivity. These are normal and are indications that your body is slowly recovering.
For the next 24 – 48 hours, some tips that you should take note of include the following:
- Rest!
- Take the prescribed medications
- Avoid disturbing the wound
- Allow the blood clot to cover and provide nutrients to the wound
- Use a warm compress to alleviate swelling
- Eat a healthy, balanced meal
- Do not smoke
After seven days, you will be asked to return to your dentist so they can remove any sutures left. They will also inspect the wound to see if it is healing as expected.
After a week from surgery, take it easy on yourself and allow your body to heal. If you experience anything unusual such as bleeding or severe pain, let your dentist know so they can identify and treat the problem.
Safe Wisdom Tooth Removal at Sierra Dental
Most patients fear getting their wisdom teeth checked because of the pain that may come with the process. But with Sierra Dental, our team will always put your peace of mind, safety, and comfort as a top priority.
Book your appointment today to experience premiere dentistry at SE Calgary. With top-notch diagnostic tools in place, modern equipment for advanced dental care, and a highly-qualified surgical team, you will surely be more confident about getting your wisdom tooth removal done with us at Sierra Dental.