What are the symptoms of wisdom teeth?
In general, if you feel soreness or pain (almost like teething) in the back of your jaw, of if you notice swelling or soreness around the gums, your wisdom teeth may be growing in inappropriately. If the tooth becomes impacted or infected, you may also notice an unpleasant taste or smell associated with the infected teeth.
It is important to note that it is not always possible to determine whether your wisdom teeth are growing in without the help of a professional. Seeing a dental professional before you notice any symptoms can prevent complications like impaction or infection.
Do I have to have my wisdom teeth removed?
If your wisdom teeth are growing in straight without damaging any adjacent structures, they may not need to be removed. The only way to be certain of your situation is to have a dental exam that includes X-rays of the mouth. Even if wisdom teeth seem straight initially, they may change course at later development stages. It is therefore important to attend regular dental exams while your wisdom teeth develop (between the ages of 12 and 25).
When should I have my wisdom teeth removed?
Most dental professionals recommend having wisdom teeth removed earlier when the teeth are smaller and easier to extract (around ages 15–19), but every individual is different, and the right time for you may be later or earlier.
What is recovery after a wisdom teeth procedure like?
After your wisdom teeth are removed, there will be empty tooth sockets where your teeth used to be. Usually, these surgical sites take a week or two to heal completely, but most patients can resume their normal schedules after just a few days.
The day of surgery, you may have some minor residual bleeding, and this usually subsides after a few hours. You can use moist gauze or damp tea bags to apply light pressure to the surgical site. The first couple of days after surgery, you will probably need to eat soft foods. You can start incorporating more chewy or hard foods as you feel more comfortable (usually after a couple of days). Some patients experience some swelling for the first couple of days after surgery. This is normal and should go down by day three or four. Our patients are encouraged to follow our post-operative instructions carefully so that the recovery period can be made as comfortable as possible.
Is wisdom teeth removal painful?
During the removal procedure, patients will receive a local anesthetic (“freezing”) to prevent discomfort and ensure that our patients stay as comfortable as possible. Most patients undergo wisdom teeth removal under IV anesthesia, allowing them to be pleasantly unaware throughout the procedure.
After the procedure is complete, the local anesthesia will often still be in effect for a few hours leaving the mouth will feel numb. You will be given a prescription for pain medication to help control any discomfort once the anesthetic wears off. It is normal to experience the most swelling, and therefore discomfort, between 48–72 hours after the surgery. Most patients find that the discomfort subsides soon after. Additional recovery time may be necessary for adult patients. Starting your pain medication before the local anesthetic wears off is an excellent way to help reduce and prevent pain. Our team will do everything possible to ensure that you are comfortable throughout your procedure and recovery.
Where can I have my wisdom teeth removed near me?
Atlantic Oral Surgery & Dental Implant Centre provides wisdom teeth removal and many other oral surgery services for residents of Newfoundland and Labrador from our St. John’s office. Our highly experienced and friendly team provides our patients with the best care possible in a modern facility where comfort and safety are our priority.