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Wisdom Teeth: When Is It Time to Do Something About It?

18/04/2023

What Are Wisdom Teeth?

Third molars, or wisdom teeth, are the final set of teeth to erupt in the back of the mouth. Although not everyone gets wisdom teeth, they typically start to erupt in the late teens or early twenties. Some people might only develop one or two, while others might not even start to develop any.

 

When Do Wisdom Teeth Usually Erupt?

The average age at which wisdom teeth erupt is between 17 and 25. The jawbone has finished growing at this stage, and the last few teeth have already erupted. If the mouth doesn't have enough room for the wisdom teeth to erupt, this could be problematic. The wisdom teeth may occasionally be impacted, which means they are imprisoned beneath the gum tissue and unable to erupt normally.

 

Problematic Wisdom Teeth: Warning Signs and Symptoms

You might experience several symptoms if your wisdom teeth are causing issues, such as:

  • Intense or persistent mouth or throat pain
  • Bloody or swollen gums
  • Having trouble opening your mouth
  • An unpleasant mouth feeling or bad breath
  • Ear or head pain
  • A pressure sensation in the mouth's back

Consult your dentist or oral surgeon as soon as possible if you experience any of these signs. They can examine your mouth to see if your wisdom teeth are the source of the issues.

 

Options for Treating Problematic Wisdom Teeth

Depending on the severity of your symptoms, your dentist or oral surgeon may suggest one of several treatment options if your wisdom teeth are giving you trouble.

  1. Extraction: Extraction is the most widely used treatment for problematic wisdom teeth. The tooth must be taken out of the jawbone in order to do this. To make sure you're comfortable throughout the procedure, your dentist or oral surgeon may employ local anaesthesia or sedation. Check out dentist queen for extractions.
  2. Antibiotics: If you have an infection in your wisdom teeth, your dentist or oral surgeon may recommend taking antibiotics to help the infection go away before recommending extraction.
  3. Crown Lengthening: The wisdom teeth may have partially erupted in some circumstances, but the mouth may not have enough room for them to develop normally. In this situation, your dentist might advise crown lengthening, a procedure that entails removing some gum tissue to expose more of the tooth.
  4. Orthodontic Treatment: Your dentist or orthodontist may advise braces or other orthodontic treatment to help correct the issue if your wisdom teeth are causing crowding or other alignment problems.

Although some people may experience pain and discomfort from their wisdom teeth, not everyone requires removal. Consult your dentist or oral surgeon if your wisdom teeth are giving you trouble so they can recommend the best course of action. Options for treatment include everything from antibiotics and crown lengthening to extraction and orthodontics. Keep in mind that the sooner you address the issue, the simpler it will be to treat. To find out more about wisdom teeth, visit health direct now.