admin 
Most people get their wisdom teeth, or third molars, between the ages of 17 and 21. They come in the back of the mouth. They do not bother many people.
For others, though, they can cause problems that make them need to be taken off. If your wisdom teeth are giving you trouble, a St. Paul, MN dentist can help and give you great advice.
Do wisdom teeth always need to be removed?
In the past, doctors often took out wisdom teeth to keep them from hurting. At this point, each case is looked at separately. Several things affect this choice.
- Impaction: Wisdom teeth become affected when there is not enough room in the jaw for them to come in all the way. When teeth are impacted, they can hurt, get infections, and damage the teeth next to them.
- Pain and discomfort: Having wisdom teeth can hurt, swell, and make the jaw sore. Also, they can hurt your gums and make it hard to chew.
- Infection: It is hard to clean around impacted wisdom teeth, which raises the risk of gum and surrounding tissue infection.
- Damage to neighboring teeth: Wisdom teeth that are crowded or impacted can put pressure on nearby teeth, moving them out of place.
- Cysts and tumors: Sometimes, wisdom teeth that are stuck in the mouth can cause cysts or tumors to grow there.
Signs that your wisdom teeth might need removal.
There are a few signs that you might need to have your wisdom teeth taken out:
- Having pain or swelling in your jaw
- Gums that hurt or turn red around the wisdom teeth
- Having trouble biting or chewing
- Bad breath
- A bad taste in the mouth
- Around the wisdom teeth, pus is coming out
The benefits of wisdom teeth removal.
Getting rid of your wisdom teeth is important for keeping your mouth healthy and avoiding pain, diseases, and damage to nearby teeth. Infections, swelling, and sores can not happen, and dental care is possible.
Since it can be hard to clean wisdom teeth, getting them taken out properly can help avoid cavities and gum disease. Getting rid of your wisdom teeth can help your other teeth move into their right places, giving you a better smile. Stopping problems before they happen can make your oral health and general health a lot better.
The procedure of wisdom teeth removal.
Taking out your wisdom teeth is a surgery that is usually done by an oral surgeon. Anesthesia is used to numb the area before the teeth are pulled out with forceps or other medical tools. The length of the process depends on how complicated the case is, but it usually takes between 30 minutes and an hour.
Recovery after wisdom teeth removal.
Some pain, swelling, and bruises are normal after having your wisdom teeth taken out. Your doctor will give you painkillers to help you deal with the pain. To speed up recovery and avoid getting an illness, it is very important to follow the specific care directions given after surgery.
Not all wisdom teeth require removal.
Always keep in mind that not all wisdom teeth need to be taken out. Dentists suggest getting X-rays to see if the teeth have enough room to come in properly. If there is enough room and the wisdom teeth are healthy, they may not need to be taken out.
Early removal may not always be necessary.
It used to be normal to remove things early, but some experts now think it might not always be necessary. They say that taking out healthy wisdom teeth can cause problems like nerve damage and pain in the jaw.
Consult your dentist today.
You should talk to your doctor before deciding if you want to have your wisdom teeth taken out. They will be able to look at your specific case and tell you what the best treatment plan is.
