Your wisdom teeth are the last ones to come in. If your mouth is already full, they can make things worse. But even if they aren’t bothering you yet, your dentist may tell you to get rid of them. Find out more about your wisdom teeth and what to expect when they start to come in by reading on.
Why should I have my wisdom teeth removed?
Wisdom teeth may not hurt or bother you right now, but they can end up causing problems in the future, so it’s best to get rid of them before they do. Wisdom teeth can develop in the wrong direction and damage your other teeth. This is called having a “impacted” wisdom tooth. Wisdom teeth can also make your mouth too full, which can make it hard to clean your teeth and cause problems with your jaw and bite.
What is the procedure to remove wisdom teeth?
Your dentist may choose to use general anaesthesia, which knocks you out completely, or local anaesthesia, which makes you awake but painless during the procedure. If your tooth is still under the gums, your dentist will make a small cut to get it out. For your tooth to be taken out, it may need to be cut into several pieces. If this is the situation, the procedure will take longer than if the tooth is already showing. It can take as little as a few minutes or as long as an hour.
If stitches that dissolve on their own were used, they will be gone in about 10 days. After the procedure, you may be given antibiotics. For the first day, you should avoid intense exercise, smoking, drinking alcohol, and drinking hot liquids.
Many people have their wisdom teeth taken out when they are still in their teens, but if they are causing problems, they can be taken out at any age. If you think your wisdom teeth are coming in or if you have any other tooth problems, you may want to call Blythe Road Dental your Hammersmith Dentists.
