What are Wisdom Teeth? Discuss Their Emergence, Signs, and Extraction

When your adult teeth come in, the wisdom teeth come in last. The “third molars,” or wisdom teeth, are in the back of the mouth. These are the last set of molars. Most people get them in their late teens or early twenties. These teeth can be useful when they are healthy and in the right place, but they often get lost and need to be taken out.

What are Impacted Wisdom Teeth?

Sometimes, wisdom teeth develop naturally without any problem, but having impacted wisdom teeth cannot grow. Teeth that get stuck in the mouth can damage other teeth nearby, make them look bad, and make the mouth worse.

Because they are partially or fully buried in bone and soft tissue, impacted wisdom teeth are more difficult to clean than other teeth. Infections, pain, swelling, and sickness can occur if the tooth only comes in partially. It’s also easier for cavities and gum disease in teeth that are only half-formed because they are in a difficult position where hard to reach.

How do I know if I have Wisdom Teeth?

 They might take regular X-rays of your teeth to see where your wisdom teeth are and make sure they are healthy. To find out more, your dentist may tell you to see an oral surgeon. It is beneficial to tell your dentist or oral surgeon to remove your wisdom teeth before they cause a problem.

This is done to save time and pain so that a harder and more thorough extraction doesn’t have to be done later. Since bones aren’t as thick in young people, it’s easier to remove their wisdom teeth because the roots are yet to grow fully. As people get older, they tend to take longer to get better and return to normal. 

How Can I Know If My Wisdom Teeth Are Coming In?

Wisdom teeth are useless, regardless of their well-known name. Many people get these extra teeth when they are in their late teens or early twenties. Although,  you don’t need them to chew properly.

Some people face difficulty with their wisdom teeth, but they can be painful if these develop irregularly or before the mouth is ready for them. Your four new molars may feel good or bad.  You feel some molars or all of them lost if they need to be pulled.

5 Common Symptoms of Wisdom Tooth Eruption

1. Itchy and swollen gums behind the second teeth are one of the first signs that a wisdom tooth will come in. In this area, you might feel pain and sensitivity..
2. A dull ache in the back of the jaw often indicates wisdom teeth are about to come in. In some cases, like when teeth are affected or coming in at an odd angle, the pain may worsen. 
3. Wisdom teeth can exert pressure on nerves in other parts of the face, like the eyes, ears, and mouth. Referred pain is when this kind of pain is felt somewhere other than where it started. 
4. Your gums may turn a dark red or pink color when your wisdom teeth come in. This is to protect them. This could be a sign of an illness or other problem, but it’s also a normal part of the eruption process. 
5. The appearance of small white spots beneath the second molars is a definite sign that wisdom teeth are emerging. The tiny spots you see are the tips of newly erupted teeth. 

What is Wisdom Tooth removal? 

A common oral surgical process is wisdom tooth removal, also known as wisdom tooth extraction. The process is supported because it protects dental health and other teeth from possible problems. 

Why Wisdom Teeth Might Need to Be Removed

Wisdom teeth generally appear around adolescence or early adulthood, when all the other teeth are fully developed. If there isn’t enough space for the wisdom teeth to fully emerge, extraction may be needed. 

Many problems can happen when your wisdom teeth get stuck, such as: 

• Pain and swelling
• Infections in the gums (pericoronitis)
• Food getting stuck
• Tooth decay
• Gum disease
• A build-up of fluid around the tooth (cyst)
• A dental abscess

How to Prepare for Wisdom Teeth Removal?

If your doctor says you should get your wisdom teeth taken out, they will probably suggest an oral surgeon. You will probably have a meeting after the first step to go over the process and make sure you are ready. To get ready for having your wisdom teeth taken out, here are some things you should remember and do.

What does the first consultation consist of?

When your first appointment with the oral surgeon, they will check out the state of your wisdom teeth. Most of the time, dental X-rays are used to find problems and see exactly where each tooth is.

It is very important to let your surgeon know about any health issues you are having and the medicines you are taking, such as vitamins, supplements, over-the-counter medicines, and prescription drugs. Talking freely with your surgeon is the best way to make sure that the surgery is safe and effective.

The surgeon will go over sedation dentistry options with you to ensure your comfort. Anesthesia will be given by your surgeon during your appointment. Common types include:

Local anesthetic numbs the surgery site, keeping you awake and pain-free.

Nitrous oxide (Laughing Gas) calms and relaxes. IV sedation puts you to sleep so that you won’t remember much of the operation. The deep slumber of general anesthesia is utilized for severe circumstances.

Each anesthetic has preparation instructions. For IV sedation or general anesthesia, your surgeon may recommend fasting the night before surgery. After discussing it, they may advise you to cease certain drugs a few days prior.

What Happens During Wisdom Teeth Removal?

You will be put to ease, and pain will be taken away while your wisdom teeth are taken out. A local anesthetic is used to numb the teeth and gums first, just like when you get the cavity filled. There are different kinds of sedatives, like laughing gas (nitrous oxide), pills you take by mouth (like Valium), and liquid sedatives. 

The doctor will use an anesthetic to numb the area before starting your mouth surgery. They might have to make small cuts in the gums to reach teeth stuck in the jawbone or gums. The surgeon may cut the tooth into pieces and carefully remove each one to make the process easy. After a tooth is pulled, the area will be cleaned to prevent infection. If needed, stitches that dissolve can be used. Gauze is used to stop bleeding after the process is over.

Most wisdom tooth extraction procedures only take forty minutes. Because of the general anesthetic, you might need to stay in the hospital for a short time, but you will be able to go home the same day.

Wisdom teeth recovery after extract 

The full recovery from wisdom teeth removal typically takes one to two weeks. It might take longer to heal fully, but most people can get back to their normal lives in a few days. We’ll talk about what to expect and give you important tips to help you get better quickly in this article.

• Quick care and maintenance

The first 24 hours after some blood typically marks a tooth extraction. Chewing on clean, wet gauze will help settle things down for about 30 minutes. You could also use a wet tea bag. The tannic acid in the bag helps the blood clot, which lets the wound heal. For the first 24 hours after the blood clot is taken out, don’t rinse, spit, use a straw, or drink hot drinks. This will help you avoid getting a dry socket, which is very painful.

• Getting rid of discomfort and pain

For the first three to four days, you might feel pain and stiffness. You can deal with your pain with over-the-counter medicines like ibuprofen or paracetamol. The swelling will decrease if you put an ice pack or a bag of frozen peas in your mouth every 10 minutes. The swelling usually gets worse in two or three days. After the first day, keep the swelling reduced by applying a warm, wet cloth every 20 minutes.

• Choices in food and oral care

Now that you know how to chew without pain, soup, yogurt, and applesauce are good soft things to eat. It is best to stay away from foods that are high in protein and crunchy because they could make the surgery wound more serious. After every meal, gently rinse your mouth with warm salt water (half a teaspoon of salt in a cup of water).

This will help keep your mouth clean. On the other hand, you should only use cheap mouthwashes if your doctor tells you to. Watch out when you brush your teeth for at least one day after having an extraction. You don’t want to break any blood clots that may have formed at the spot or damage the stitches.

• Don’t do anything bad during your break.

Do not drive for at least 48 hours after surgery with a general anesthetic. Plan for someone to drive you home instead. Take a day or two off from work or school to rest. To get better faster and lower your chance of getting an infection, don’t smoke or drink too much.

• Keep an eye out for those signs of an infection.

The pain and swelling should go away over time. After a few days, if the pain, swelling, or bleeding gets worse, you should see your dentist or surgeon because you may have an infection. They might give you medicine to prevent an infection. Most stitches will fall out on their own, but if they need to be taken out, your dentist will let you know.

You can get better faster and avoid problems if you follow these tips. To make sure you heal properly, please call your oral health professional right away if you are worried about anything.

What will be the complications after wisdom tooth extraction?

In general, wisdom tooth extraction is a safe process, but as with any surgery, there is a chance of complications. A dry socket is one of the most common problems. It happens when a blood clot doesn’t form properly over the tooth hole or comes loose too soon. This exposes the bone, which hurts a lot and makes healing take longer. A dry socket usually shows up three to four days after surgery. Your dentist or oral surgeon will likely treat it with an antibiotic dressing.

If germs get into the hole where the tooth used to be, they could make the wound worse. You will have pus, a bad taste in your mouth, a high fever, and more pain if you have an infection. If these signs and symptoms show up, you might need medicines to get better.

Nerve damage is another possible result, though it doesn’t happen very often. When teeth are pulled, nerves in the jaw, lips, or tongue may get hurt or bruised, especially if wisdom teeth are close by. The tingling that follows, called paresthesia, can last for a short time (a few days to a few weeks) or in very rare cases). It usually only lasts for a short time, but it should be monitored, if someone needs to know about it.

Although bleeding after wisdom tooth extraction is common, you should see your doctor right away if it lasts or gets worse. Although these things happen, they’re always scary, and most people get better with the right dental care.

After wisdom teeth removal, when can I eat​?

You can eat right away if you’re hungry after your appointment. For the first three to five days, you should only eat soft things. At first, eat more solid things slowly as you feel better.

It would help if you never used a straw to drink a milkshake or smoothie. Use a spoon instead. Dry pits and blood clots could move around if you drink through a straw.

How much does wisdom teeth removal cost?

The wisdom teeth removal costs as little as $99 each. It can cost anywhere from $230 to $340, and sometimes even more, to fix wisdom teeth that are stuck. If you live in a different part of the country, please ask your dentist or oral surgeon about their fees. Get in touch with your health and dental insurance companies as well. Wisdom teeth removal can also be done at the expense of some kind of insurance.

Conclusion:

It’s hard and takes a long time to clean your teeth when you have wisdom teeth. When wisdom teeth get stuck in the gums, they can hurt, get infections, or make it hard to keep your balance. These teeth need to be taken out.

You might get better faster if you plan, be careful, and do what the doctor tells you to do after the extraction. You can make better health decisions if you know when your wisdom teeth are coming in and if you need care. Be sure to see a dentist or oral surgeon if you are having problems or have concerns. They can get you care that is good for you and doesn’t hurt.

FAQ’s

At what age do wisdom teeth come in?

Most people get their wisdom teeth between the ages of 17 and 25, which means they are in their late teens or early 20s. But the exact time is different for each person.

Should wisdom teeth be removed?

Wisdom teeth need to be removed when they become impacted, infected, painful or cause other oral problems. However, they might not need to be removed if they grow regularly.

Why is it called a wisdom tooth?

Older and “wiser” people are more likely to have these teeth, which is how they got their name.

Do wisdom teeth hurt?

You might be in pain if your wisdom teeth are stuck or come in at a strange position. There is pain, and swelling, and sometimes can cause  headaches as a result.