If your wisdom teeth are coming in, it can be quite painful. You might wonder why this is happening and why it causes so much discomfort. This article will explain everything you need to know about your wisdom teeth, including why they can be such a literal pain.
Wisdom teeth are the last set of molars that typically emerge between the ages of 17-21. They often try to come into a mouth that already has a full set of teeth, leaving little room for them to grow. This lack of space can lead to a buildup of bacteria around the gums, which can be painful and cause problems for your other molars.
These teeth appear at the very back of your jaw, both on the top and bottom rows. Historically, our ancestors needed these extra molars to grind nuts and grains. However, with modern diets, we no longer require them. Dentists often recommend removing wisdom teeth to prevent potential issues in the future.
You might wonder why they are called wisdom teeth. The name comes from the fact that they grow in later in life, assuming the person is wiser by then and more careful with their diet.
Dentists may suggest removing wisdom teeth for various reasons. If there isn’t enough space in your mouth, they might grow towards your other molars and become ‘impacted’. This means they break through the gum slightly but then push against other teeth as they grow in the wrong direction. Impacted wisdom teeth are prone to infection and cysts, and plaque can form on them, affecting their roots and the nearby teeth.
Fortunately, you don’t have to endure this pain. Dental procedures can effectively remove wisdom teeth, eliminating the risk of infection and gum disease. During the extraction, your dentist will use sedation techniques to keep you comfortable. A local anesthetic might be used for quick removals, while more complicated cases might require sedation. The dentist will make a small incision at the base of the tooth, remove it carefully, and then prescribe pain medication to aid your recovery.
Recovery from wisdom tooth extraction takes about two weeks, during which your gums will heal, and the incision will close. During this time, it’s important to eat soft foods and take care not to injure yourself. Although most patients recover smoothly, smoking can introduce dirt into the healing area, causing infections or a condition known as ‘dry socket’. This condition causes severe pain around the removal site a few days after the extraction.
Avoiding surgery can lead to complications later on, as wisdom teeth are harder to clean and more susceptible to decay and other hidden damages. Keeping your mouth healthy is crucial for your overall well-being, so trust your dentist to safely remove your wisdom teeth and keep you pain-free.
