Your Invisalign® ProviderAre you wondering when to come into our Toothworks dental office to have your wisdom teeth pulled? Our dentists at our Toothworks Masonville Place Dental location in Ontario offer some advice about when your wisdom teeth should be removed.
What are wisdom teeth?
Many of us will have a third set of molars known as the wisdom teeth emerge between the ages of 17 and 25. If they are straight and healthy when they erupt, wisdom teeth are generally harmless. However, if these teeth are misaligned or are unable to erupt completely, dental surgery may be recommended so your wisdom teeth can be removed.
When should I have my wisdom teeth removed?
One of the ways your dentist can help preserve your oral health and prevent issues in the future is to remove problematic wisdom teeth. In some cases, a patient will undergo another procedure (example: corrective jaw surgery) that requires their wisdom teeth to be extracted prior to the procedure so they won't be in the way.
Ideally, wisdom teeth should be removed before they cause discomfort or pain, and before an infection develops. Even if your wisdom teeth don't cause pain, they may eventually cause crowding that can lead to tooth decay as crowded teeth may be difficult to clean.
You'll want to schedule your wisdom teeth extraction in advance and take a few days for recovery.
What age do most people have their wisdom teeth removed?
Typically, it’s ideal to have wisdom teeth removed around the age of 18. This is because the tooth roots haven’t completely formed and hooked to the jaw bone. Once this happens, the procedure and recovery process can be more difficult.
Signs you need to have your wisdom teeth removed
If you experience any of these symptoms, contact your dentist, as your wisdom teeth could be causing problems:
- Sinus problems
- Headaches
- Bad breath (caused by plaque bacteria collecting on the wisdom teeth, or infection)
- Pain in teeth or jaw
- Difficulty eating
- Gum inflammation
- Facial swelling (caused by impacted wisdom teeth that remain below the gum surface)
- Misaligned wisdom teeth
Is it painful to have your wisdom teeth removed?
Tooth extractions are far less painful today than ever before, due to the use of sedatives and anesthetics. In many cases, patients who have wisdom teeth pulled experience little to no discomfort, and perhaps only minor bleeding.
Before the tooth is extracted, the area around the tooth will be numbed with an injectable or topical anesthetic to ensure comfort.
Once your dentist has removed the tooth, he or she will discuss tooth replacements options with you. These may include bridges or dentures.
How long does recovery from wisdom teeth removal take?
Many dentists use techniques such as IV sedation so the procedure is as comfortable as possible for patients.
Expect to be in and out of your appointment in about an hour. Recovery takes a few days, with some potential discomfort and swelling within the first 2 to 3 days.
During healing, eat soft foods, refrain from strenuous physical activity, and follow your dentist’s advice and post-care instructions. If you do these things you should have a smooth recovery process.