Did you know that Wisdom Tooth removal is one of the most common oral surgery procedures performed in the UK?
At Mayfield Dental we have our own highly experienced In-house Oral Surgeon. With her expertise and knowledge of removal of Wisdom Teeth, you have the convenience of the procedure taking place at our Practice which can be done under local anaesthetic. This has proven preferable to long NHS hospital waiting lists, a hospital admission and undergoing general anaesthetic. An initial appointment with our Dentist where she will take x-rays can determine how straight forward or complex the extraction may be, the Oral Surgeon will then assess any risks involved before we proceed.
What are Wisdom Teeth?
Wisdom Teeth are the third molar teeth, at the very back of your mouth. Some people have all four and some people have none!
Why are they called Wisdom Teeth and why do we have them?
They have their name because of when they start coming through which is usually between the age of 17 and 21 years. They are the last teeth to come through, if at all. Wisdom teeth are put to good use if not causing problems, but are no longer needed in our modern lives. Wisdom teeth served a purpose a very long time ago when we foraged for foods like twigs and tough, raw meats.
Why can Wisdom Teeth cause us problems?
- Mainly because there simply is not enough room for them. Many years ago people had larger jaws, now we tend to have jaws which are too small for all 32 teeth to fit. 28 teeth is often the most we have room for. If all the other teeth are present and healthy there may not be enough space for the Wisdom Teeth to come through properly.
- They can be difficult to clean because of where they are and therefore are prone to decay.
- They can come through at the wrong angle due to lack of space. This is very common and makes it almost impossible for them to erupt correctly which is referred to as an Impacted Wisdom Tooth. If impacted they will cause overcrowding and upset the alignment and straightness of other teeth which will put undue pressure on surrounding teeth, causing them to twist and rotate.
- Twisted or rotated teeth are also more difficult to clean and therefore more prone to decay.
- If the Wisdom Tooth is only partially erupted, there is a risk of getting an infection under the gum. As they push up through the gum which can get sore, swollen and inflamed. Bacteria and bits of food can collect under the gum edge, and as it is difficult to clean the area, this is when infections can occur.
How do you know when you have a Wisdom Tooth problem?
- Jaw stiffness or pain near an impacted tooth.
- Pain or irritation from a tooth at the back coming in at an awkward angle and rubbing against the side of your mouth or tongue.
- A swelling that feels infected gum tissue that has formed on top of an impacted tooth that has broken partly through the gum.
- Crowding of other teeth.
- Tooth decay or gum disease, this can be caused through difficulty in cleaning your Wisdom Teeth and nearby teeth properly due to their location.
What you can do if your Wisdom Teeth are causing you pain.
We have a few tips to reduce and alleviate pain initially if you are at home.
- Clove oil – for a natural remedy.
- Over counter Painkillers – can temporarily relieve pain and discomfort.
- Salt water – rinsing several times a day can be effective.
- Clean teeth properly – ensure that you clean your teeth thoroughly as trapped food can exacerbate the pain from the Wisdom Tooth and also increase your chance of developing an infection.
If you have pain from your Wisdom Teeth then you will need to consider a visit to your Dentist to assess the area.
How can your Dentist help?
- A check-up or emergency dental assessment with your dentist initially where an X-ray will be taken will determine the position of your Wisdom Teeth.
- Your Dentist can also advise if you could benefit from hygiene cleans and explain how you can take care of your erupting Wisdom Teeth by cleaning around them and showing you how to manage effective cleaning at home.
- Your Dentist can recommend specific mouth washes, special dental cleaning tools and prescribe antibiotics if required.
- They can advise you on extracting the wisdom tooth/teeth.
Wisdom Tooth extraction – the procedure
Your dentist or oral surgeon will make sure you feel as comfortable as possible and will answer any questions you may have about the removal procedure.
You may feel some pressure just before the tooth is removed. You shouldn’t feel any pain as your wisdom teeth are removed because the area will be numb from local anaesthetic.
How long does it take to remove wisdom teeth?
If only one wisdom tooth is being extracted, the procedure may take around 20-30 minutes.
How are Wisdom Teeth removed?
If your Wisdom Tooth has come through fully then extraction can be as simple as any other tooth. Upper Wisdom Teeth are often easier to remove than lower ones, which are more likely to be impacted.
If the tooth is hidden underneath the gum and is not fully erupted then it may need to be extracted through a surgical excision. Often Wisdom Teeth are extracted in sections, rather than trying to remove it in one go. This dissection of the tooth in your mouth ensures complete extraction and the cleanest technique.
Extractions can also be performed while patients are under sedation but this option requires a Dentist/Oral Surgeon who specialises in using sedation drugs. At Mayfield Dental in this instance we would refer you to a trusted specialist whom we have worked with for many years for sedation and tooth removal procedures.
Should Wisdom Teeth be removed routinely?
Tooth removal is not routine, if there is enough room they can come through into a useful position and cause no more problems than any other tooth.
What should I expect after a Wisdom Tooth is taken out?
You may experience some swelling for a few days and mild discomfort.
The amount of discomfort will depend on how easy it was to remove the tooth and if you have more than one tooth removed at the time.
It is important that you follow any advice you are given which will help with the healing process.
Over counter painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen will usually help with any pain. There may be some stitches to help the gum heal over. Your Dentist will probably want to check in with you about a week later to check how your mouth is healing, and to remove any stitches.
During and after the procedure you will be given verbal instructions on what to do and expect afterwards. A leaflet will also be given to you at the appointment explaining what to do if you have any concerns and of course you can call or text us for reassurance.
If you think you may be affected by a problematic Wisdom Tooth give us a call at Mayfield Dental on 0208 657 1291 or 07891 578648.
