Have you heard someone talking about having their wisdom teeth extracted, but you weren’t sure what was involved with such a procedure? Are you curious about why you have wisdom teeth or what to do if your wisdom teeth bother you? Here is everything you need to know about your wisdom teeth.
What Are Wisdom Teeth?
Wisdom teeth are the back molars in the mouth; most people have two wisdom teeth in the top jaw and two in the bottom jaw, but some people have fewer than four wisdom teeth or none at all.
Wisdom teeth may come through during the teenage years or early adulthood with no issues, but for some people, they come in at an angle. This is known as impaction, and they may need to be removed.
Signs of Impacted Wisdom Teeth
There are many different symptoms of an impacted wisdom tooth, and they include the following:
- Jaw pain or swelling
- Red, swollen, tender or bleeding gums
- Bad breath or taste in your mouth
- Trouble opening your mouth
Why Do Wisdom Teeth Need to Be Extracted?
Some people are lucky and don’t have to worry about issues with wisdom teeth, but wisdom tooth extraction may be necessary if any of the following problems occur:
- Damage to the other teeth – If the wisdom teeth are pushing against other teeth, they could cause damage and may need to be removed.
- Damage to the jaw – Wisdom teeth can shift the jawline and limit the ability to open the mouth, leading to their removal.
- Pain or sensitivity – Pain, sensitivity or throbbing in the wisdom tooth area could indicate they need to be removed.
- Gum inflammation – Swollen gums can make it challenging to care for the teeth, leading to tooth decay; in such cases, the wisdom teeth may need to be removed.
What Is the Procedure for Removing Wisdom Teeth?
The average wisdom tooth extraction takes about an hour to complete. Your dentist will perform the following steps:
1. Administer sedation medicine.
2. Numb the teeth and gums.
3. Make the wisdom teeth visible if they are impacted.
4. Loosen and lift the wisdom teeth from their sockets.
5. Clean and stitch the removal area.
Do You Want More Information about Wisdom Tooth Extraction in Blacktown?
If you want more information about wisdom teeth, consider contacting our dental clinic in Blacktown for more details. You can reach us at (02) 9831 4046.
