Wisdom teeth are well known for causing problems, as these third molars don’t erupt until the late teens when all the other teeth have long since come through. This means there is often too little room left for the wisdom teeth to erupt correctly, and they can frequently become impacted. This means they will try to come up underneath other teeth or to erupt sideways through the gum. Other problems can arise if the wisdom teeth only partially erupt, as the resulting flap of gum tissue around the tooth is the perfect trap for bacteria. This can lead to decay and infection, especially as wisdom teeth are often quite tricky to clean.
If you don’t yet have your wisdom teeth Dr Rik Trivedi or another Kent dentist will have been keeping a close eye on their development through the use of dental x-rays. If they think you may develop problems, then they could recommend you have them removed before these can occur. Wisdom tooth removal is often easier in younger people as the bone hasn’t had sufficient time to harden, and the tooth roots won’t be fully developed. However you may wish to wait and see, and of course you can always contact the Parrock Dental and Implant Centre if you think these teeth may be causing problems.
What to Expect during Extraction
Tooth extraction is very straightforward and is normally carried out under a local anaesthetic, although Dr Trivedi can offer extra sedation if you feel nervous about this procedure. Recovery afterwards can depend on whether or not removal was straightforward, but generally you can expect to feel a little bit of discomfort for at least the first 24 hours. It’s also common to experience some bleeding before a blood clot forms in the empty socket. You might also notice a little bit of facial swelling and may wish to apply an ice pack during the first few hours. If your tooth was infected then Dr Trivedi it may have prescribed antibiotics and it’s important to take these until the prescription is completed.
Avoid touching the extraction site for at least 24 hours after surgery, and it’s also best to avoid spitting or sucking as this could dislodge the blood clot in the socket. It’s extremely important that this blood clot remains undisturbed as it helps the healing process and will keep the empty socket free from infection. Luckily wisdom teeth do not need replacing, so there’s no need to worry that you’ll need dental implants in Kent.
If you’re concerned your wisdom teeth are causing problems then why not book an appointment for a check-up? You can call us on 01474 537191 or alternatively you can fill in our enquiry form online at www.parrockdental.co.uk to request a call back.