What Are Wisdom Teeth? 

Wisdom teeth are the third molars in your mouth. They usually erupt around the age of 18-25 and are the farthest back teeth you have in your jaw.

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Symptoms Of Wisdom Teeth? 

Some symptoms of wisdom teeth that can occur are: 

• Tooth Pain

• Jaw Pain

• Swelling, redness and Inflammation around the gums

• Difficulty in keeping the area behind the second molars clean

• Occasional swelling and bleeding

• Impacted teeth

• Frequent oral infections around the site of wisdom teeth

 

Why Do Wisdom Teeth Need To Be Removed? 

Wisdom teeth do not always need to be removed. Most of the time however, either the upper or lower jaw does not have enough space to fit your wisdom teeth. This can cause infection issues and problems keeping the area clean so it is highly recommended to remove them when symptoms are present. 

The wisdom tooth extraction procedure is very common and standard practice with an oral surgeon, so when wisdom teeth are causing problems your dentist will probably refer you to a local oral surgeon to have them extracted and prevent further problems and discomfort.

 

Why Are Wisdom Teeth More Difficult To Remove Than Other Teeth?

Depending on a variety of factors, wisdom tooth extraction can be more difficult than other teeth, but for the most part, a wisdom tooth extraction is a fairly routine process performed by your oral surgeon. If the oral surgeon notices a situation that presents a more complicated extraction, they will discuss it with you beforehand, but it usually isn’t a major cause for concern.

 

What Is The Recovery Period For Wisdom Teeth Extractions? 

The main part of the recovery period is around a 3-5 day course. By days 5-7 day you should feel back to normal again. We like to tell our patients that they can expect up to 2 weeks to fully recover after having your wisdom teeth removed. During this two week period you should expect to have swollen cheeks & gums, and there may be discomfort that gradually lesses as your continue to recover and follow the care advice of your doctor.

 

Will I Have Stitches Where The Wisdom Teeth Are Removed?

After wisdom tooth extraction, there will likely be a couple stitches where the tooth was removed. Your dentist will provide you instructions on how to care for the incision sites and stitches, however the stitches themselves will usually dissolve on their own within 1-2 days.