Wisdom teeth Gordon are the last teeth to erupt in our mouths and usually show up between the ages of 16 and 18. Most people have four wisdom teeth, although some may not have all of them come through. Some people have enough space in their mouths for wisdom teeth, whilst others have smaller jaws and no more room left for wisdom teeth; this is when wisdom teeth can become a problem. If you do not have enough space left in your mouth, then your wisdom teeth will not be able to erupt properly; this is known as an impacted wisdom tooth. Alternatively, the wisdom tooth may force its way out and grow at an angle. Either situation can have a significant negative impact on the rest of your mouth.

Effects of wisdom teeth

Wisdom teeth can cause tooth decay, infection as well as severe pain, difficulty chewing and bad breath. If your wisdom teeth are growing, then it is wise to visit a dentist who can check whether there is enough space for the wisdom teeth and whether there will be any concerns. If your wisdom teeth are causing problems, then you must visit the dentist as soon as possible to prevent any damage or complications to your surrounding teeth.

Not all wisdom teeth are the same

Not all wisdom teeth are problematic. As mentioned earlier, if there is enough space in your mouth, the wisdom teeth should be fine. However, it is important that you have excellent dental hygiene practices because wisdom teeth do a lot of work chewing your food; this means that they will be exposed to sugars, acids and food particles, and bacteria will remain around the teeth because it is a lot harder to clean the back of your mouth. Therefore wisdom teeth are prone to developing cavities and tooth decay, so you need to visit your dentist at regular intervals to ensure your teeth are clean and healthy.

Wisdom teeth extraction

If your wisdom teeth are causing unpleasant and uncomfortable symptoms or have not erupted correctly, you may need a tooth extraction. Dental extraction is carried out under local anaesthesia; therefore, it should not be painful. If you do experience any pain, then you can ask your dentist for a higher dose of anaesthesia. The process should be complete within an hour, depending on how many teeth you need to remove. If the teeth are in a difficult position, the extraction may take longer.

Unfortunately, wisdom teeth do not fall out of their own accord; they will only fall out if they are heavily decayed or damaged, but you must never let your teeth get to that stage. Speak to your dentist today, find out more about wisdom teeth, and let your dentist assess whether or not your wisdom teeth will be trouble, and they will put together a tailored treatment plan for you.

Disclaimer

Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.