What You Should Know About Wisdom Teeth Removal

Wisdom teeth are the third molars that usually appear when a person is in their late teens or early twenties. They tend to be the last permanent teeth to develop, although not all of a person’s wisdom teeth will necessarily emerge.

The problem with wisdom teeth is that they often grow the wrong way and cause problems. When this happens, these teeth are referred to as impacted teeth. Impacted teeth can appear in different forms, such as wisdom teeth that have not yet fully erupted, are stuck underneath the surface of the gums, or are improperly aligned.

When Do Wisdom Teeth Become a Problem?

Wisdom teeth often grow out into spaces where they shouldn’t be growing. They push neighbouring teeth away from their correct positions, causing alignment issues. This can affect the natural growth of the teeth and eventually cause dental issues such as bone damage and infection.

Most people realise that their wisdom teeth are growing and causing them issues when they start experiencing painful symptoms. Wisdom teeth problems are most commonly experienced in a person’s late teens.

There are various symptoms you should take note of that may indicate a wisdom tooth problem, including:

• Swollen gums
• Swollen lymph nodes under the jaw
• Stiff jaw
• Bad breath
• Headaches

Helpful Tips for After the Extraction

There are some useful tips for patients to follow after undergoing a wisdom tooth extraction to ensure the healing process is comfortable and successful. These tips include:

• Get a lot of rest and do not do any strenuous exercise in the 24 hour period after the procedure
• Follow a diet of soft foods such as pudding and mashed potatoes for a few days
• Drink a lot of fluids to speed up the healing process
• Try not to rinse your mouth in the 24 hour period after the treatment, as it may affect the blood clot formation
• Try not to smoke for at least three days before and three days after the surgery, as the risk of developing an infection will be higher

Book an Appointment with Our Melbourne CBD Dentist Today

Are you experiencing issues with your wisdom teeth? Call Dental on Clarendon today on (03) 9690 3285 to book in an appointment at our Melbourne CBD clinic.