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All about: Wisdom teeth

January 22, 2023
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Wisdom teeth can be painful and even cause infections. Are you experiencing pain and swelling in your mouth? You might have developed wisdom teeth. Here’s everything you need to know about wisdom teeth and their removal procedure.

The 101 on Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth are positioned as the third set of molars that typically emerge in the back of the mouth in the late teenage years or early adulthood. We also call them ‘third molars.’ They get their name because they usually appear at a time when people are older and expectedly have more ‘wisdom.’

Impacted wisdom teeth are third molars that are unable to emerge through the gums because they are blocked by other teeth or bone. This could occur if there is not enough space in the mouth. In other cases, the teeth are angled in a way that they cannot break through the gums.

It’s common to get wisdom teeth in the late teenage years or early adulthood. The age at which wisdom teeth emerge can vary, but they usually appear between the ages of 17 and 25. It is not an uncommon scenario for wisdom teeth to occur later, and some never develop it at all.

So, what are the signs of a wisdom tooth coming in? There are a few things you can look for. First, notice any pain or discomfort in the back of your mouth. See if there’s any swelling in the gums. Lastly, if you can see a tooth poking through your gums in the back of your mouth, it is likely a wisdom tooth.

 

Is wisdom tooth removal necessary?

Wisdom tooth removal is not necessary in all cases, and your dentist will tell you whether you need one. Unlike teeth cleaning or whitening, it’s not a cosmetic procedure.

Unextracted wisdom teeth cause pain and discomfort and can also lead to infections. They can even cause painful cysts (fluid-filled sacs damaging the surrounding teeth, gums, and jawbone).

You may need wisdom teeth removal for lack of space in the mouth, impacted teeth, infection, damage to surrounding teeth, the development of cysts, and interference with orthodontic treatment. If you are experiencing issues with your wisdom teeth, you must see a dentist or oral surgeon for an evaluation.

Dentists can take x-rays of the mouth to get a clear view of the wisdom teeth. This helps them determine whether the teeth have enough room to come in correctly. Your dentist can also feel the gums for any swelling or tenderness that may indicate an impacted wisdom tooth. How you describe your symptoms is also used for the diagnosis.

 

Extraction and aftercare

Wisdom tooth extraction is a surgical procedure. One or more wisdom teeth can be removed within the same process. It is typically performed by a dentist or oral surgeon, and it is performed under local anesthesia or intravenous sedation. During the procedure, your dentist will make an incision in the gums and remove the wisdom tooth or teeth after a thorough cleaning.

At Ashraf Dentistry, we offer PRP – Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy for fast recovery from dental procedures (like wisdom tooth removal). PRP – Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy enhances the healing of tissues after surgery, such as tooth extraction or gum grafting. It is also used to treat periodontal disease and infection of the tissues that support the teeth.

You must follow your dentist’s directions to care for your teeth after the procedure. Following a soft food diet for the first few days after wisdom tooth removal is essential. Cleaning your mouth often is also helpful; a salt water rinse is commonly recommended.

 

Wisdom tooth removal is a simple dental procedure to remove painful wisdom teeth. Consult a dentist for wisdom teeth detection if you’re experiencing pain or discomfort or if you wish to know more about PRP – Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy. We hope this guide answers your questions about wisdom teeth removal.

Ready when you are

Lamine Diallo
Lamine Diallo
02:21 15 Jun 22
My family and I have been receiving care from Dr. Ashraf and his amazing team since we first moved to Waterloo in 2002. His assessment skills are spot on, he is gentle and is very skilled at working with anxious\nervous patients. My dental hygienist is Lin who is very knowledgeable, and passionate about her work. She is amazingly gentle yet very,very thorough when it comes to preventative dental care. She is didactic as well, taking the time to teach patients how to use certain equipment as well as addressing gingivitis in pro-active ways. We are in very capable hands.
Trisa Kapetaneas
Trisa Kapetaneas
18:12 01 Jun 22
I have been a patient here for over 2 years now and I've always enjoyed the experience. The staff are professional and have always made me feel comfortable. I recently had a cleaning done by Lynn for the first time and she was amazing! Will continue to visit for my checkups/cleanings.
Aamir Mirza
Aamir Mirza
14:54 03 May 22
Dr. Ashraf and his team is amazing. All work done under one umbrella for entire family. We all are very happy to be under the care for the last 20 plus years. Lin, dental hygienist is remarkable professional. She knows her job so well that I look forward to my cleaning every time I'm scheduled. Thank you Lin for your amazing work for my entire family!
Alena Delena
Alena Delena
14:50 02 May 22
My family loves Dr Ashraf. We've been through many dentists in many cities and he's by far our favourite one. He's always thorough and professional. His referrals are also of equal high caliber. I went to him for a root canal and a crown. I had many concerns and he addressed them all personally. He even went so far as to redo a root canal for me. Recommend.
Nicole Wood
Nicole Wood
15:31 28 Apr 22
I found Ashraf Dentistry a year ago and I absolutely love their dental clinic. Everyone is very kind and thorough. Lin is the best dental hygienist I've ever had! She takes the time to ensure I receive the care I need. Both dentists I've seen have also been very kind and wonderful at making me feel like my teeth are being taken care of. Highly recommend!
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