Request a bookingThere is no hard and fast rule that will tell you your wisdom teeth need to be removed however you will have symptoms when they are coming through. Not everyone who receives their wisdom teeth has them removed but due to the impact they can have on oral health, most people choose to have them extracted.
Wisdom teeth are the four back molars found on each side of your upper and lower jaws and are the last teeth to come through in your mouth. Generally, people receive their wisdom teeth in their late teens or early twenties and it can be quite a painful experience.
Do I need to get my wisdom teeth removed?
It completely depends on the situation and will most likely be your dentist who has the final decision. It will depend on a few factors including the current structure of your teeth and whether or not your wisdom teeth will overcrowd your mouth. Due to the nature of the way wisdom teeth come through, the dentist will check the health of the wisdom teeth as well as the effect it is having on the surrounding teeth and gums.
When you see the dentist, they will take an X-Ray to look for signs of decay and monitor the development of the wisdom teeth. Often, the wisdom teeth will only have partially erupted and this can cause issues for the gums as well as the teeth. A partial eruption can leave your mouth vulnerable to infection and decay while a misaligned tooth can crowd and damage surrounding teeth.
Symptoms to look out for
Sometimes the pain can be noticeable in your surrounding teeth and your jaw bone, not always localised to the one tooth or few teeth. If you experience any of these symptoms, you should definitely book in for a dental appointment to have your wisdom teeth looked at.
- Aching sensation around your jaw bone which may give a feeling of pressure or a dull throb at the back of your mouth.
- Swelling and redness around the area where your wisdom teeth are coming through,
- Difficulty chewing and swallowing food.
Wisdom teeth are very susceptible to infection and other issues so the pain can sometimes be much worse than the usual feeling of teeth coming through. Due to their susceptibility to infection, it’s important to see a dentist as soon as you notice any uncomfortable feeling.
In the meantime?
If you’re in a lot of pain, be sure to take ibuprofen to give some immediate relief and get you through until your appointment. Using antiseptic mouthwash is also a good idea to prevent infection developing. If you don’t have any antiseptic or antibacterial mouthwash, gargling salt water is a good alternative.
Another alternative is benzocaine which is a gel-based numbing cream. Rubbing this on the area where your teeth and gums are aching will help to give you relief throughout the day and night.
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms or would like to get a check-up to see the oral health of your teeth in general, you can give us a call or book online. We’re open 6 days a week and after hours for your convenience.