Wisdom teeth are the molars that are set deepest in the back of the mouth. Usually, a person has four of them – top left, top right, bottom left, and bottom right. They commonly begin to emerge in a person’s late teenage years or during their early 20s.
Some lucky people may never have wisdom teeth emerge, or their wisdom teeth may emerge without issues. However, it is much more common for wisdom teeth to cause a range of problems as they start to show.
In this article, our Caringbah dentist team will give a run down of the basic facts about wisdom teeth, and how they are managed by your Sutherland Shire dentist.
Why are wisdom teeth a problem?
Wisdom teeth are a bit like the appendix – they are not truly necessary, and yet they exist and can cause us grief. The issue is, there is often just not enough room for wisdom teeth, and they tend to come through at an undesired angle. This can result in ‘impaction’, which is when the wisdom tooth comes through and pushes into the neighbouring tooth.
Impaction is an issue for a number of reasons. It’s painful. It can result in infection, which may show as a swollen and painful gum. It can make it harder to eat properly, reducing nutrition. Furthermore, it can make it hard to brush the teeth properly due to pain, resulting in reduced oral hygiene.
As the wisdom teeth emerge, they can also create a food trap with neighbouring teeth and therefore they commonly lead to tooth decay and gum disease. They have even been known to come out on an angle and affect the cheeks, resulting in bleeding and ulcers.
What will the Caringbah dentist advise I do about my wisdom teeth?
First of all, there’s no need to worry. The list of above problems rarely ever come about, because your bulk billing dentist Caringbah is aware of the issues that wisdom teeth cause. At the earliest sign or suspicion of wisdom teeth, they will often conduct an X-ray to understand if your mouth has enough room for wisdom teeth to come through safely. They will also assess whether you are experiencing pain, or if other teeth are in the line of fire.
If you do need to have your wisdom teeth removed, this will be made as comfortable as possible for you by your dentist in Caringbah. Local anaesthetic, general anaesthetic, sedation dentistry, and other options can all be explored to ensure the experience is as comfortable as possible for you.
What to expect after surgical wisdom tooth removal?
Your dentist in the Shire will provide specific advice and information to you to ensure the recovery process is as smooth as possible. Your recovery may include pain relief medication, salty water swilling, a soft/liquid diet, and rest. There is typically some facial, jaw and gum swelling, and gum bleeding in the following days before the hole/s heal over.
If you suspect your wisdom teeth, or your children’s, are coming through, we recommend you visit The Caringbah Dentists to assess and develop a treatment plan. Contact us today on (02) 9525 0595 or reception@thecaringbahdentists.com.au to be proactive about your wisdom teeth.
