How to Know You Need Your Wisdom Teeth Removed

Are you dealing with chronic pain in the back of your mouth or jaw? Have you experienced an increase of tooth decay and/or gum inflammation in the back of your mouth? Your wisdom teeth could be having trouble erupting. Many patients require wisdom teeth removal to preserve their oral health and their smile’s appearance.

What Are Wisdom Teeth?

Wisdom teeth are the final set of molars that typically erupt between the ages of 17 and 26. Due to evolution, human jaws have gotten smaller, which means most people don’t have enough room for wisdom teeth. Wisdom teeth are no longer a necessary set of molars to properly eat or speak.

Do All Wisdom Teeth Need to be Removed?

Not all wisdom teeth need to be removed. Some people have plenty of room for their wisdom teeth and experience no issues when they erupt. Other patients don’t even have wisdom teeth. However, it’s a high possibility that if you do have wisdom teeth, they won’t come in properly, which can cause issues. For example, wisdom teeth can partially emerge, get stuck underneath the gums, or grow in at an angle and push into neighboring teeth.

Signs You May Need Wisdom Teeth Removal

Some of the most common signs that you have problematic wisdom teeth include:

• Chronic pain in the back of the mouth
• Cysts
• Headaches and/or earaches
• Inflamed and/or infected gums
• Sinus issues
• Shifting teeth
• Increased occurrence of tooth decay

The Wisdom Teeth Removal Process

Your dentist will set a procedure date after they confirm that wisdom teeth removal is the best course of action for your smile. At your appointment, they will administer anesthetic and any necessary dental sedation to numb the affected area and help you relax. If your wisdom teeth are stuck beneath the gums, they will make a small incision in the gums to remove the wisdom teeth. If they have erupted about the gum’s surface, they will use forceps and gentle force to pull out the wisdom teeth. After your wisdom teeth are removed, they will stitch up the gums if needed and cover the extraction sites with clean gauze. Since sedation is used in most wisdom teeth procedures, you will need a family or friend to drive you home.

Stress-Free Wisdom Teeth Removal in Jonesboro, AR

Are you looking for a trusted family dentist in Jonesboro, AR? At Dickson Family Dental Care, we offer gentle, stress-free tooth extractions. Our mission is to help patients achieve great oral health and have a positive experience each time they visit our office. Please contact us today to learn more about our services!

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Wisdom teeth image from Authority Dental under CC 2.0

Categorised in: Oral Surgery