If your wisdom teeth are coming in, it can be pretty painful. You might wonder why this is happening and why it causes so much discomfort. This article covers everything you need to know about wisdom teeth and why they can be such a pain.
Wisdom teeth are usually the ones that cause the most pain. They are the last set of molars to come in, typically between ages 17-21, often in an already crowded mouth. There often isn’t enough room for them to grow, leading to bacteria buildup around the gums, which can be very painful and problematic for other teeth.
Wisdom teeth grow at the very back of your mouth, on both the top and bottom jaws. Our ancestors needed them to grind tough plant-based foods, but with modern diets, we don’t really need them anymore. Nowadays, dentists often prefer to remove them to prevent future problems.
You might wonder why they’re called wisdom teeth. The name comes from the fact that they appear later in life, assuming you’re “wiser” than you were when your other teeth came in and better at avoiding sugary foods that damage teeth.
Dentists might need to remove your wisdom teeth for several reasons. If there isn’t enough space, they might start growing toward other molars, causing them to become ‘impacted.’ Impacted wisdom teeth can partially erupt through the gums and press against other teeth, which might lead to infections and cysts along the gumline. Plaque can form over the impacted teeth, eventually affecting nearby teeth and nerves.
Fortunately, you don’t have to suffer through this. Dentists can perform a wisdom tooth extraction to relieve the pain and prevent plaque buildup and gum disease. Depending on the complexity of the extraction, you might be sedated or just given a local anesthetic to numb the area. The dentist makes a small incision at the base of the tooth, removes the tooth pieces, and helps you recover with prescribed pain medications.
Recovery from a wisdom tooth extraction usually takes about two weeks. During this time, you’ll need to be careful with what you eat and drink, sticking to soft foods that don’t require much chewing. While most people recover without issues, some might get an infection, especially smokers who don’t follow post-surgery care instructions. Smoking can introduce dirt into the wound, causing conditions like a ‘dry socket,’ which is very painful.
Although you can choose not to have the surgery, this can lead to complications later. Wisdom teeth can develop biofilm, leading to decay that’s harder to reach and see than in other teeth. Impacted teeth can cause hidden damage beneath the gums.
Keeping your mouth healthy is crucial for your overall health. Trust your dentist to safely remove your wisdom teeth so you can stay pain-free.
