Category: Wisdom Teeth

About 10 million people have their wisdom teeth removed each year.

There are many different reasons to go through a wisdom teeth removal, including pain and infection, damage to other teeth, or signs of decay. They may also be too big to fit into a person’s mouth, which is another reason to remove wisdom teeth.

If you haven’t had your wisdom teeth removed yet, here are nine signs you need your wisdom teeth removed as soon as possible!

1. Pain Toward the Back of Your Mouth 

If you are experiencing pain in the back of your mouth or near that area, this may be due to your wisdom teeth. This could be the teeth trying to come through or coming through in general.

The pain may be consistent or sporadic, but it is uncomfortable. If you are experiencing this pain, removing wisdom teeth may be the best option for you.

2. Tender or Swollen Gums

When your wisdom teeth start to grow into your mouth, it can create a flappy part of your gums around the tooth. While that within itself can be slightly painful, it can become more tender as food and tiny particles get lodged in between the flap of gum since it is likely to swell up and cause tenderness.

At this point, it may be smart to have your wisdom teeth removed.

3. Constant Headaches

While experiencing headaches can come from many different factors, it can also be one of the signs that you need your wisdom teeth removed.

A headache that originates from your wisdom teeth will most likely start in your mouth near your jaw. The jaw pain can radiate to cause earaches and headaches.

4. Jaw Pain or Stiffness

If you let your wisdom teeth grow in, they may cause your entire mouth’s bite to change. If this happens, your jaw will be out of line and begin to cause pain.

Ultimately, your jaw will remain relatively stiff which can make it difficult to chew properly by opening and closing your mouth fully.

If jaw pain persists, it’s important to have it checked out since jaw issues and misalignment can cause a myriad of issues.

5. Sinus Issues

Much like getting headaches, sinus issues may arise because of many different factors like allergies and getting a cold. However, your wisdom teeth can also cause sinus issues.

The roots that your upper wisdom teeth can grow into your jaw may cause excessive pressure. This pressure can cause sinus pressure and feelings of congestion that don’t go away.

6. Crooked Teeth 

If you had straight teeth that suddenly become crooked when your wisdom teeth grow in, you may want to get them removed.

Wisdom teeth will grow whenever they are ready, so it doesn’t matter if your mouth has room for them or not. When this happens, they will push the teeth that are in the way over to make room for themselves.

If that’s the case, your mouth will be overcrowded. The only solution to this is a wisdom teeth removal of some or all of them.

However, there is a way to prevent the wisdom teeth from growing in and causing crooked teeth. Having X-rays done at an earlier age can predict whether there will be enough room in your mouth if the wisdom teeth grow. If there isn’t, this is one of the signs you need your wisdom teeth removed before they pop through your gums and cause more issues.

7. Difficulty Eating

If you notice that you are having a difficult time eating, this could be due to your wisdom teeth. If your wisdom teeth come in and trap food particles in the back of your mouth, it can cause infections and pain.

This can lead to having a hard time chewing and eating without pain. The only fix for this is to remove the wisdom teeth to be able to eat without pain.

8. Repeated Tooth Infections

It can be difficult to clean the back of your mouth properly (or any part of your mouth for that matter) if it is painful. 

When your wisdom teeth grow through your gums, it can become painful. When this occurs, you are less likely to brush thoroughly back there, which can lead to cavities and tooth infections.

If this becomes more common in your mouth, it may be time to have your wisdom teeth removed.

9. Cyst Growth

Another tell-tale sign that it is time to get your wisdom teeth removed is if cysts begin to grow near your wisdom teeth.

These cysts are not only painful, but can cause more damage to your jaw, your teeth, and your nerves if they are not treated right away.

If you notice a small growth and pain in your mouth, you need to have it checked out immediately by a trained professional.

These Are Signs You Need Your Wisdom Teeth Removed

If you experience any type of pain in your jaw or at the back of your mouth, you will want to get it checked out by professionals. These painful experiences may be signs you need your wisdom teeth removed.

You should also keep track of where your wisdom teeth are under your gums with your dentist before they come through to be sure they don’t need to be removed before they pop through.

Ready to have your wisdom teeth out? Register with us today so we can get started with your treatment plan, and then you can say goodbye to the pain in your mouth! 

Almost five million Americans undergo wisdom teeth extractions annually. This huge market costs Americans around $3 billion in dental care, and many wonder if it is worth the pain, money, and potential time off work.

Have you wondered about wisdom tooth aftercare? While the surgery may seem intimidating, aftercare is where you have to deal with pain, change your diet, and watch out for complications. 

Luckily, we have a complete guide on what to expect during wisdom tooth surgery, why it’s important, and how to prepare for aftercare. Keep reading for more information!

Wisdom Tooth Surgery

Wisdom tooth surgery, also known as wisdom tooth extraction, involves the removal of teeth that can help your oral health. Wisdom teeth are often not necessary, and usually, there isn’t enough room in your mouth to accommodate them.

Not everyone has wisdom teeth, and some research speculates that approximately 40% of people may not have them. An X-Ray can determine how many wisdom teeth you have and if you have any that are impacted. 

Surgery involves skilled oral surgeons with expertise in wisdom teeth removal. You can opt for local or sedative anesthesia. More severe cases may require general anesthesia.

A qualified surgeon will make incisions into your gum line and remove the bone and teeth. In some cases, they may have to break the tooth into smaller segments for easier removal. After the procedure, your oral surgeon will clean the site and place stitches.  

Wisdom Teeth Problems

Known as your ‘third molars,’ these teeth are often the last to start growing and can sometimes not even break through the gum line. When this happens, it is called impacted wisdom teeth. Some of the risks with improperly growing wisdom teeth are:

• Poor natural tooth alignment
• Damage to other teeth
• Tooth decay
• Infection
• Inflammation
• Cysts
• Jawbone issues 

Certified oral and maxillofacial specialists can advise if wisdom teeth removal is appropriate for you and what to expect during aftercare. 

Wisdom Tooth Aftercare

What can you expect for wisdom tooth treatment after surgery? For starters, there will be some pain involved. It is not uncommon to also experience:

• Bleeding
• Inflammation
• Swelling

Sometimes, these symptoms can last for several days. Yet, the first 24 hours are the most critical. 

Immediately following surgery, you will likely need someone to drive you home, especially if you were under sedative or general anesthesia. Your oral surgeon may also have given you a local anesthetic or pain medication that will limit your ability to drive. 

During that first day, avoid some of these everyday tasks:

• Drinking through straws
• Using mouthwash
• Brushing over extraction sites

Smoking and drinking alcohol should also be avoided. Typically, most people can return to work, school, or other hobbies the next day. Excessive exercise should be avoided for about a week since it can cause blood clots to break loose. 

The extraction site will take much longer to heal. In some cases, it can take six weeks or longer. Your surgeon will also send you home with a few additional supplies that can help, including:

• Extra gauze
• Pain medication prescription
• Ice packs

When using gauze, ensure you moisten it with warm water and remove it after about thirty minutes. If you continue having bleeding, simply replace it with a clean strip and avoid chewing or eating with it.

Many individuals find wisdom tooth pain management effective with ice packs and over-the-counter pain medication such as ibuprofen and Tylenol. Common prescription pain medication includes hydrocodone and oxycodone, although these should be used sparingly and only as prescribed. 

What Can You Eat After Wisdom Tooth Surgery?

Part of your wisdom tooth home care advice will be what you can and cannot eat. For most, it will simply depend on how quickly you heal, but you should always start with soft foods. Some people may only find that they can drink liquids, but remember to avoid using a straw. 

As you start feeling better, you can begin mixing solid foods into your diet. Here are some foods you should avoid until the extraction site is fully healed:

• Spicy
• Acidic
• Nuts
• Seeds
• Granola

These textures and flavors can increase irritation and limit healing. After eating, try rinsing your mouth with warm water and salt. Besides warm salt water rinses, you should avoid brushing or flossing teeth during the first 24 hours after surgery.  

Signs of Infection

Signs of infection can be pain, swelling, pus, or fevers. Keep in mind that a few of these symptoms are quite common immediately after surgery but should not persist. Dry socket is one of the rarer side effects and complications but is something to watch out for. 

Dry socket happens when blood clots become dislodged, so it is essential that you ease into exercise and avoid rinsing and spitting. Most patients with a dry socket diagnosis report intense pain two to three days after surgery. Your oral surgeon will usually have to irrigate the site and dress the wound manually. 

Find Wisdom Tooth Treatment Near You

For many, wisdom tooth extraction is the last major oral surgery of their teenage or young adulthood years. It can seem intimidating, but the wisdom tooth aftercare process is quite simple if you take time to recover and have some caregiver support for the first 24 hours. 

The process is smoother if you choose a qualified and highly skilled oral surgery clinic specializing in wisdom teeth removal. At Aspire Surgical, we look at the entire picture of the risks, benefits, and oral health of your wisdom teeth.

For a consultation, check out our website and find a location nearest you!

When your wisdom teeth become impacted, it can lead to serious health issues. Most dentists will recommend that they be surgically removed to prevent cysts, gum disease, and benign tumors from forming. As with any surgical process, you may be a little nervous and unsure of what to expect from the procedure. Below is a quick guide to take you through the process from surgical preparation through the recovery. 

Preparing for Surgery

Once your dentist has determined your wisdom teeth are impacted, you will first have an appointment with an oral surgeon. During this visit, they will explain the process and also allow you to ask any questions regarding the procedure or the recovery process. They will then go over your personal health history and inquire about any medications that you are taking. 

For your preparation, you will need to arrange for care for children or pets during your procedure, secure a ride to and from the appointment, and take a few days off work or school for the procedure and recovery. 

The Day of Surgery

You can expect your procedure to take anywhere between 45 minutes to an hour. In some cases, the teeth may be stubborn, and the surgery can run longer, but it rarely occurs. You will be under oral or IV sedation so you will feel no pain or discomfort during the procedure, nor will you be awake during the process. If you are anxious before the procedure or about the IV, you may be offered nitrous oxide. After the anesthesia has been administered, and the surgeon is sure you are asleep, they will use surgical tools to cut into your gums and extract the teeth. Once the teeth are successfully removed, your surgeon will put in dissolvable sutures to allow your gums to heal properly. Your mouth will then be packed with gauze to control the bleeding, and you will then be brought out of sedation. 

Recovery and Aftercare

Right after surgery, you are likely to feel groggy and will experience some mild pain and swelling. Your surgeon will recommend medication to control the pain by either writing you a prescription or discussing over-the-counter medication to take. Driving will be restricted for 12 to 24 hours, so you will need to have a ride home and someone with you who can help you understand post-op instructions. The rest of the day, you should take it easy and rest when possible. 

You will be able to eat immediately after your procedure but may not have much of an appetite as the anesthetic fully wears off. Stick to soft foods at first until most of the swelling goes down. Also, avoid hot foods as the gums where the teeth were removed will be sensitive. Avoid nuts, seeds, hard foods, and straws during the healing process to avoid damaging your stitches. 

Follow all post-operative instructions on hygiene closely to avoid infection. You will need to avoid brushing your teeth, rinsing your mouth and flossing for the first 24 hours. Saltwater rinses are advised to aid healing and help with pain and can be started right away. Just be sure not to spit the solutions out as the suction can interfere with healing. Simply allow the solution to drip out of your mouth. Change the gauze as needed until there is no more bleeding. 

You should be mostly recovered in three to four days and can resume normal activities, though it can take up to a month for the site to fully heal, so you should still avoid sucking through straws, smoking, and heavy exercise for about a month. 

Your wisdom teeth are a third set of molars, which usually appear when you are between 17 and 21 years of age. These teeth are rarely functional and therefore cause crowding and other issues within the mouth. Therefore, dental professionals will often recommend removing them before they break through to prevent any potential problems. The following are some common signs it might be time for your wisdom teeth to come out. If you notice any of these signs, contact us today to schedule a consultation:

Signs of Impacted Wisdom Teeth

If your wisdom teeth try to come in but don’t have the space to emerge fully from the gums, they become impacted. This can lead to:

• Jaw pain.
• Difficulty opening your mouth.
• Bad breath.
• Stiffness or swelling in the jaw.
• Bleeding, tender or swollen gums.

General Symptoms of Wisdom Teeth Issues

Even if your wisdom teeth aren’t impacted, they can still cause issues. You could experience the following:

• Irritation & Pain: As your wisdom teeth grow, they can cause pain and discomfort in the mouth. An x-ray can rule out other causes of pain and zero in on the wisdom tooth problem.

• Problems Eating: Sometimes, when your wisdom teeth are trying to come through, it can cause food to get stuck between the tops of those teeth and your gums. This can cause issues with eating and can make proper oral hygiene nearly impossible. Often, extraction is recommended to prevent further complications. 

• Shifting Teeth: If your teeth were straight and now are beginning to look crooked or crowded, newly emerged wisdom teeth could be the culprit. 

• Sinus Problems: When wisdom teeth come in through the upper gums, the roots can rub against or put pressure on the sinuses, which can lead to sinus related issues. In some cases, it can even lead to congestion and headaches.

• Inflamed Gums: The tissue around the emerging or not yet broken through wisdom teeth can easily become inflamed due to various issues like trapped food. This is a condition called pericoronitis. 

• Cavities: When your gums are irritated and you are unable to properly brush due to food getting stuck, this can obviously lead to cavities. Bacteria thrive in this type of environment, making your teeth more susceptible to the development of cavities. 

Do Wisdom Teeth Always Have to Come Out?

There are several schools of thought on the subject. Some experts believe you should leave wisdom teeth alone if they aren’t bothering anything or trying to emerge, or if the mouth has room to accommodate them, should they push through. Others believe it’s best to remove them if you suspect they will try to come in and there isn’t room to accommodate them in the mouth. Some orthodontists recommend having them out early, when a patient is still in braces to prevent a potential shift in a newly straightened smile should they come through the gum line. Thankfully, the skilled professionals at Aspire Surgical can easily determine which category you fall into and either recommend extraction or promote and wait and see approach. Contact us today to schedule a visit to learn more.