Wisdom teeth are a third set of molars that erupt sometime in late adolescence, typically between the ages of 17 and 25. Fortunately, wisdom teeth are easy to remove and unnecessary to keep by today’s standards because of advances in modern dentistry. Here is a guide to wisdom teeth, and how your dentist will decide whether or not yours need to go. 

Understanding Wisdom Teeth

How many wisdom teeth do people have?

Most people have four wisdom teeth, one in each back corner of the mouth. However, it is possible to have one, two, or three wisdom teeth—or none at all. In fact, studies have shown that between 5% and 37% of patients don’t have any wisdom teeth at all. 

What kind of problems can wisdom teeth cause? 

Unfortunately, wisdom teeth can cause several problems if left in place, including infection, discomfort, and a misaligned smile. When wisdom teeth erupt, they can crowd the rest of the teeth, causing overlapped incisors or a shifting bite. When wisdom teeth don’t erupt properly, they can create places for bacteria to hide, prompting swelling, infection, and pain. Dentists can decide whether or not wisdom tooth removal is necessary depending on the physical condition of your gums and the results of your X-Rays. 

What happens during wisdom teeth removal? 

During wisdom tooth removal, your gums and jaw are carefully numbed using a local nerve block. If your wisdom teeth have erupted, dentists can simply use a pair of forceps to rock the tooth back and forth to widen the socket, and then to remove the tooth. If your tooth sits below the surface of the gums, a small incision may be made for extraction to occur. Then stitches will be placed to allow the gums to recover. 

How long is wisdom teeth removal recovery? 

Recovering from wisdom tooth removal surgery is similar to recovering from a basic tooth extraction. Recovery typically takes between 3-4 days, and routine checkups with your dentist are important to ensure the surgical site is healing properly. If your wisdom teeth are removed, and you are struggling with discomfort, oozing, or a foul taste in your mouth, notify your dentist immediately. 

If you still have your wisdom teeth and you are concerned about how they could impact your smile, turn to Amison Dental Group in Canton, OH. Since their inception more than 20 years ago, this trusted dental practice has been offering comprehensive dental care to patients from every stage and walk of life, helping with everything from dental cleaning and wisdom tooth removal to teeth whitening and cosmetic restorations. Learn more about how they can help by visiting their website, or give their office a call at (330) 452-2255 to schedule an appointment.