Wisdom teeth usually appear between 16 and 24 years, though sometimes they appear much later. A few lucky people are born without wisdom teeth, while others have enough room in their mouths to accommodate them.
Unfortunately, for many, when wisdom teeth finally develop, there is rarely enough room in the jaw for them, causing painful problems and other risks. Around 65% of the population have wisdom teeth; 85% of which eventually require extraction.
Even if your wisdom teeth aren’t causing pain or other problems, they may cause issues at some point. During your teens and early 20s, you must continue regular dental checks. Regular checks can use X-rays to track your wisdom teeth’s progress, identifying any issues before they become serious problems. The most common problems are decay, infection, crowding, and damage to surrounding teeth.
More serious complications can also occur. Some people develop fluid-filled growths called cysts. These can cause permanent damage to bones, teeth and nerves. In rare cases, other tumours may develop as well.
Not all wisdom teeth need extraction. However, it’s worth remembering that the younger you are, the easier they are to remove. The older you are, the denser the bone around your teeth gets.
At the first sign of discomfort or pain from wisdom teeth, you should contact Aardent Dental Centre for a consultation. Our experienced dental health professionals will X-ray your mouth to determine whether you’ll need an extraction.
Problems caused by wisdom teeth
For many people, when wisdom teeth erupt, they bring a host of problems with them. Here are the most common problems caused by wisdom teeth.
- Swollen gums: if the new teeth only partially erupt, a pocket or flap of gum can cover them, trapping food and germs. These trapped items can cause red, swollen and painful gums.
- Impacted wisdom tooth: if you have a narrow or small jaw, there may not be enough space for the new teeth. Dentists call this an “impaction”.
When is tooth extraction in Perth essential?
- If the wisdom teeth fail to erupt properly.
- If positioned unusually, such as sideways or protruding into the next tooth, they can cause issues.
- If the teeth trap food.
- If you can’t properly brush your teeth.
- If there is going to be a greater risk of damage to adjacent nerves by waiting to do the extractions.
Other wisdom teeth-related problems include:
- Swollen gums
- Swollen jaw
- Limited jaw movement
- Halitosis (bad breath)
- A foul taste in your mouth
- Pain when you open your mouth
- Pain when chewing or biting
Wisdom teeth pain can be intermittent, but the problem is permanent. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, contact your Vic Park dentist today to discuss wisdom tooth extraction in Perth.
Often wisdom teeth are removed in hospital with a general anaesthetic. When you wake up the procedure will be over. Easier wisdom teeth can be removed in the dental chair if you prefer. The choice is yours.
What happens at the dentist?
If you’re having your wisdom teeth extracted, this is what you can expect:
Your dentist or oral surgeon will:
- Incise the gum, exposing the tooth and bone
- Remove any bone that could be blocking access to the tooth
- Break the tooth into sections if it’s easier to remove in pieces
- Remove the tooth
- Stitch shut the gap in the gum left by the extracted tooth
How long does extraction take?
Fully erupted teeth typically take around 35 minutes, depending on the case. Sometimes, lower teeth take more time.
Impacted teeth may take longer as the dentist must open the bone surrounding the tooth, pushing the procedure to 45-60 minutes.
Of course, each case is different, so ask your Aardent Dental Centre dentist what they think.
Who extracts the teeth?
General dentists, emergency dentists in Perth, and some dental specialists (oral surgeons and periodontists) can all extract teeth.
Post-extraction care
Recovery typically lasts a few days. You may have bleeding for a while, but the following tips will help speed up recovery:
- Use a gauze pad to apply pressure and control bleeding. Gently biting down on the gauze can help. If you’re still bleeding after 24 hours, call us.
- Take all medications as directed.
- Avoid lying flat on your back, as it may prolong bleeding and cause you to choke. Prop up your head with pillows.
- Avoid physical activity – it may increase bleeding.
- Avoid straws for the first few days, as they can increase bleeding.
- Eat soft foods, such as jelly or soup. As you heal, begin to reintroduce solid foods to your diet.
- After 24 hours, rinse your mouth several times a day using warm salt water. Rinsing can reduce swelling and relieve pain.
- Refrain from smoking cigarettes or vapes for at least 24 hours post-surgery.
- Brush your teeth and tongue with care.
- If your dentist used stitches, expect them to schedule a time to remove them after a few days.
If your teeth emerge without issue, you’re lucky! As with all teeth, regular flossing is crucial. Getting to them can be tricky as they are at the back of your mouth but keep trying. They can also have deep fissures and grooves, catching food and causing decay. Your dentist can seal these fissures, preventing decay from developing.
Contact Aardent Dental Centre for more information
Our Victoria Park dental clinic will help you secure a consultation about your wisdom teeth. We’ve provided dental care solutions for families in Victoria Park, South Perth, Kensington and all over Perth for over 3 decades. With regular dental check-ups, we can almost always catch wisdom teeth before they cause a problem and schedule a preventative wisdom teeth removal procedure.
If you’re in pain and need an emergency dentist in Perth today, call us on 09 6330 8666 or online. At Aardent Dental Centre, we are experts in assessing, treating and removing wisdom teeth. Choose us as your Vic Park dental specialist.
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