Wisdom teeth are the last teeth to grow, located at the back of the mouth. Learn about impaction, when removal is needed, and what to expect.
Adults can have up to 32 teeth. Wisdom teeth are the last ones to grow and are located at the back of the mouth. They normally come through between the ages of 17 and 25 but can erupt in later years. Many people have jaws that are not big enough for 32 teeth — often there is only room for 28 at most. This means that if the other teeth are healthy and present, there may not be sufficient space for the wisdom teeth to grow properly.
Wisdom teeth do not always lead to dental health problems. If there is enough room to grow they can often develop without causing any more issues than other teeth. In many cases there will be mild discomfort when they are erupting, but this is temporary and will pass when the tooth has fully erupted.
If there is not sufficient room, the teeth can try to grow in but become stuck against the tooth in front. The wisdom tooth will then come in at an angle — this is described as an impacted wisdom tooth.
The gum may become swollen and sore, and particles of food and bacteria may collect under the edge of the gum, making it difficult to clean the area effectively. Your dentist will be able to advise whether it is a temporary problem that can be managed with mouthwash, special cleaning methods and antibiotics, or whether the tooth needs to be removed.
Antibacterial mouthwashes such as Corsodyl can help reduce inflammation. Pain-relieving tablets like aspirin or paracetamol may help in the short term, but you should make an appointment with your dentist if the pain persists. Cleaning thoroughly around the tooth can also help, and your dentist may prescribe antibiotics.
The dentist will normally take an x-ray to identify the position of the tooth root and to find out whether the tooth has enough room to develop.
Removal is considered when the tooth will not grow correctly due to a lack of space, if it is causing discomfort or pain, if it has only partially grown through or is decayed, if it is making oral cleaning difficult, or if it begins to over-grow because a lower tooth has been removed or cannot erupt and the upper tooth has no opposing teeth to bite against.
Much depends on the shape and position of the root. Your dentist will advise whether removal can take place at the practice or whether a referral to a hospital specialist is needed. In some cases there is a chance of temporary numbness in the lip after a lower tooth is removed — your dentist will let you know if this applies to you. You will likely need sedation or a local anaesthetic, or in some cases a general anaesthetic at a hospital.
The amount of pain and discomfort depends on how easily the tooth was removed. There is normally some discomfort and swelling for the first few days, and it is important to follow the aftercare advice given regarding mouthwash and cleaning. Standard painkillers such as ibuprofen, paracetamol or aspirin can help manage any pain. Some stitches may be required to help the gum heal, and your dentist will likely want to see you around a week after the procedure to check that everything is healing well.
There will be some swelling for the first few days after the wisdom teeth have been removed. However, once the area has healed there will be no lasting difference to your appearance. Your mouth will feel less crowded and more comfortable, particularly if the tooth was impacted.
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