Wisdom Tooth Extraction

Thanks to modern medicine, wisdom tooth extraction is a very straight-forward and largely pain free procedure. If you are experiencing pain or discomfort from your wisdom tooth, it is important to schedule an appointment with your dentist who will assess whether or not it needs to be removed.

Dr Victor Vidigal, our Dental Surgeon at Dental Care Ireland Ballyowen, has answered some of your frequently asked questions about wisdom teeth and their extraction.

Q: What is a wisdom tooth?

A: Most adults have 32 teeth, including four wisdom teeth, one in each corner of the mouth. Your wisdom teeth are the last to arrive in your mouth. They are often referred to as third molars.

Q: When do wisdom teeth appear?

A: Wisdom teeth typically erupt after the body has finished its development, usually between the ages of 18 and 24.

Q: Does everybody get wisdom teeth?

A: The number of wisdom teeth can vary from person to person, and in some cases, they may not appear at all.

Q: Can wisdom teeth be painful?

A: It is common for wisdom teeth to cause some discomfort and pain, mainly due to a lack of space in the mouth. Not all wisdom teeth will cause issues. Where pain arises, however, it is important to visit a dentist as soon as possible. Where there is not sufficient room, the wisdom teeth can erupt at an angle or only partially push through the gum. This is what is known as an impacted wisdom tooth.

Q: How will I know if there is a problem with my wisdom teeth?

A: Signs and symptoms of a problem tooth can include:

• Swollen and tender gums
• Pain when biting, chewing or swallowing.
• Soreness at the back of the mouth
• Difficulty opening the mouth
• Bad taste in the mouth
• Sleep disturbance

Q: Do all wisdom teeth have to be extracted?

A: No, not all wisdom teeth need removing. When wisdom teeth become a problem, however, your dentist will usually advise that they be removed to provide long-term relief and to prevent future problems.

Q: What can I do to ease wisdom tooth pain?

A: Rinsing the mouth with hot salt water or a medicated mouthwash such as Corsodyl can help reduce bacteria in the gums and thus tackle the source of pain. Alternatively, your pharmacist may recommend an over-the-counter pain relief such as ibuprofen, or a numbing dental gel to help ease initial discomfort.

Q: Can I prepare for the arrival of wisdom teeth?

A: Although it is impossible to stop wisdom teeth coming through, maintaining a good oral health routine will help to prevent infection. Ideally, you should brush twice per day for two minutes with a fluoride toothpaste, floss daily, drink plenty of water, and try to avoid sugary snacks.

Q: What will happen during wisdom tooth extraction?

A: Before the procedure, the patient is usually given a local/general anaesthetic or sedation to numb the area around the tooth. The main aim is to safely remove the tooth, while keeping the patient as comfortable as possible.

While the procedure is mostly pain-free, patients may experience some swelling and discomfort for a few days after the tooth has been removed.

Your dentist or oral surgeon will prescribe you with pain relief and an antibiotic if necessary to ensure the days post surgery are as comfortable as possible.

Q: What happens if I choose to not have my wisdom tooth extracted?

A: If left untreated, some problematic wisdom teeth can eventually lead to further issues, such as:

• Damage to adjacent teeth
• Cysts
• Tooth decay
• Gum disease
• Jaw problems

For more tips and advice on looking after your family’s oral health, visit dentalcareireland.ie

Wise words about wisdom teeth

In this week’s Q&A, Dr Ali Logue from our Greystones practice in Co Wicklow answers your queries about wisdom teeth, when to expect their arrival and how to spot the symptoms.

Q: What is a wisdom tooth?

A: A wisdom tooth is the last tooth to arrive in the mouth. Most adults have 32 teeth, including four wisdom teeth, one in each corner of the mouth.

Q: When do wisdom teeth appear?

A: These typically erupt after the body has finished its development, between the ages of 18 and 24.

Q: Does everybody get them?

A: The number of wisdom teeth can vary from person to person, and in some cases, they may not appear at all.

Q: Can these teeth be painful?

A: It is common for wisdom teeth to cause some discomfort and pain, mainly due to a lack of space in the mouth. Not all will cause issues. Where pain arises, however, it is important to visit a dentist as soon as possible.

Q: How will I know if there is a problem?

A: Signs and symptoms of a problem tooth can include:

• Swollen and tender gums
• Pain when biting or chewing
• Soreness at back of mouth
• Difficulty opening mouth
• Bad taste in mouth
• Sleep disturbance

Q: Do all wisdom teeth have to be removed?

A: No, not all of these teeth cause issues. When wisdom teeth become a problem, however, your dentist will usually advise that they be removed to provide long-term relief.

Q: What can I do to ease wisdom tooth pain?

A: Rinsing the mouth with salt water or a medicated mouth wash such as Corsodyl can help reduce bacteria in the gums and thus tackle the source of pain. Alternatively, your pharmacist may recommend an over-the-counter pain relief such as ibuprofen, or a numbing dental gel to help ease initial discomfort.

Q: Can I prepare for the arrival of wisdom teeth?

A: Although it is impossible to stop wisdom teeth coming through, maintaining a good oral health routine will help to prevent infection.

Ideally, brush twice per day for two minutes with a fluoride toothpaste, floss daily, drink plenty of water, and try to avoid sugary snacks.

For more tips and advice on looking after your family’s oral health, visit dentalcareireland.ie

What are wisdom teeth warning signs?

Wisdom teeth can cause pain and stress, so it’s important to know the warning signs that they are appearing, as well as ways in which to minimise discomfort

“For many of us, the arrival of wisdom teeth can be both disruptive and painful” says Dr Paul O’Dwyer, group clinical advisor at Dental Care Ireland.

“By knowing the warning signs of a problem wisdom tooth, however, it is possible to relieve discomfort and treat any issues early on. Thanks to modern medicine, the removal of these teeth is now a straight-forward and largely pain free procedure.”

What are wisdom teeth?
Often referred to as third molars, these are the last teeth to arrive in the mouth. Most adults have 32 teeth, including 4 wisdom teeth, one in each corner of the mouth. These typically erupt after the body has finished its development, between the ages of 18 and 24. The number of wisdom teeth can vary from person to person, and in some cases, they may not appear at all.

It is common for a wisdom tooth to cause some discomfort and pain, mainly due to a lack of space in the mouth. Where there is not sufficient room, the wisdom teeth can erupt at an angle or only partially push through the gum. This is what is known as an impacted wisdom tooth.

Wisdom tooth warning signs
Not all wisdom teeth will cause issues, even if they are impacted. Where pain arises, however, it is important to visit a dentist as soon as possible. Signs and symptoms of a problem wisdom tooth can include:

• Swollen and tender gums
• Pain when biting or chewing
• Soreness at back of mouth
• Difficulty opening mouth
• Bad taste in mouth
• Sleep disturbance

Wisdom teeth pain relief  
When wisdom teeth become impacted, your dentist will usually advise that they be removed to provide long-term relief. As an initial response to wisdom tooth pain, however, there are some home remedies that can help.

Mouth rinse
Rinsing the mouth with salt water or a medicated rinse such as Corsodyl can help reduce bacteria in the gums and thus tackle the source of pain. Make sure to carefully follow directions for use.

Analgesics
Over the counter pain relief such as ibuprofen can help reduce inflammation of the gums and the throbbing pain that comes with it. Follow directions for recommended dose to help ease discomfort.

Numbing dental gel
A numbing dental gel that contains the active ingredient benzocaine can help reduce feelings in the gums, thus numbing the pain.

Wisdom teeth removal
If you are experiencing severe pain or discomfort from your wisdom tooth, your dentist will assess whether or not it needs to be removed.

• An X-ray of the mouth will give the dentist a clearer picture of the position of the teeth.
• Before the procedure, the patient is usually given a local/ general anaesthetic or sedation to numb the area around the tooth.
• The main aim is to safely remove the tooth, while keeping the patient as comfortable as possible.
• Patients may experience some swelling and discomfort for a few days after the tooth has been removed.

If left untreated, some problematic wisdom teeth can eventually lead to further issues, such as:

• Damage to other teeth
• Cysts
• Tooth decay
• Gum disease
• Jaw problems

Preventing infection
Although it is impossible to stop wisdom teeth coming through, maintaining a good oral health routine will help to prevent infection. Ideally, brush twice per day for two minutes with a fluoride toothpaste, floss daily, drink plenty of water, and try to avoid sugary snacks.

Contact us today for more information.