Wisdom teeth FAQs answered by our dentist in Doncaster East

Are your wisdom teeth coming through?

At Family Dental Care, our dentist in Doncaster East knows a lot about these molars and can advise you whether you can keep them or if they are going to be trouble!

Want to know a bit more about them? Read on for common FAQs about wisdom teeth answered by our dentist in Doncaster East.

What are wisdom teeth?

As the last to arrive, wisdom teeth are molars that erupt between the age of 11 and 17 and are often wider and larger than your other molars, according to our dentist in Doncaster East.

As they erupt when all of your other teeth are already in position, wisdom teeth are often problematic, especially if you have a small mouth. In some cases, these teeth will need to be removed to prevent further problems.

How will I know if my wisdom teeth need to be removed?

There are a few signs that your wisdom teeth won’t be with you for very long!

A key one is persistent discomfort; if it hurts when you bite them, open your mouth wide or if the gum is sore around them, then they may need extracting. Other signs include persistent sinus infections, recurring infections with the wisdom tooth or nearby teeth and, of course, earaches and headaches that have only started since your wisdom teeth have erupted.

Our team will often perform x-rays to help assess whether or not you can keep your wisdom teeth, so don’t be alarmed if we take this route.

What is an impacted wisdom tooth?

This is quite common for wisdom teeth, but few dental patients understand what is meant by the phrase.

Wisdom teeth have a habit of erupting at odd angles, and as such, they can often press against the roots of the surrounding teeth, causing discomfort. This is an impacted tooth, and, if left unchecked, it can become infected and even push on and move other nearby teeth.

If we perform an x-ray and discover that one of your wisdom teeth is impacted, we will endeavour to remove it.

Is the removal of a wisdom tooth worse than a general extraction?

This is difficult to answer as wisdom teeth themselves are quite variable.

Some have very long roots that can be twisted, others erupt at odd angles and some may be impacted.

In most cases, we can remove a wisdom tooth without hassle, but if you have a more complex case, we may need to resort to surgical extraction. This often involves the use of surgical tools and techniques to remove the tooth from underneath the gum and may be needed if you have an impacted tooth. The process may be slightly longer than that of a regular extraction, and with many cases of wisdom tooth removal, you have a higher risk of needing stitches.

Aftercare

Depending on the level of extraction required (such as simple or surgical), you may or may not need stitches after your wisdom teeth are removed.

And so, to avoid infection and unnecessary discomfort, our team will usually recommend gently cleaning the teeth around the extraction site with a soft-bristled brush as this will help avoid any undue pressure or soreness. To keep the site clean, especially if you have stitches, we will usually suggest rinsing the area with lukewarm water.

If you spot any signs of infection, such as prolonged soreness, feeling ill, foul tastes or smells or discolouration of the gums, then please contact our team for an emergency appointment.

DISCLAIMER

All treatment carries risks. Individual consultation is required with one of our practitioners to ensure that the treatment is right for you.