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Wisdom teeth

Wisdom teeth are molars which are the last adult teeth to develop in the mouth. Most people have four wisdom teeth at the back of the mouth — 1 in each corner.

They usually start to appear in gums in late teens, early twenties, but it can also be quite common to appear later. By this time, there are already 28 adult teeth in the mouth and so the development of wisdom teeth can often be impacted by restricted space, causing problems as they grow. Wisdom teeth can sometimes emerge at an angle or get stuck and only partially emerge. Teeth that grow through like this are known as impacted.

When to see a Titchfield Dental Health dentist

Impacted wisdom teeth don't always cause symptoms. However, when an impacted wisdom tooth becomes infected, damages other teeth or causes other dental problems, you may experience some of these signs or symptoms:

Red or swollen gums
Tender or bleeding gums
Jaw pain
Swelling around the jaw
Bad breath
An unpleasant taste in your mouth
Difficulty opening your mouth

As with any teeth problems, if you are experiencing any of these symptoms it's important to book an appointment at Titchfield Dental Health to see a dentist as soon as possible, rather than waiting for routine dental health review.

What can I do to help relieve the discomfort of wisdom teeth?

A mouthwash of medium-hot water with a teaspoonful of salt will help to reduce gum soreness and inflammation. Swish the salt water around the tooth, trying to get into the areas your toothbrush cannot reach. Do this several times a day.

An antibacterial mouthwash containing chlorhexidine can also reduce the inflammation. Pain-relieving tablets such as paracetamol or ibuprofen can also be useful in the short term, but talk to us at Titchfield Dental Health if the pain continues.

Why are wisdom teeth removed?

If your wisdom teeth are impacted but not causing any problems, you don't usually need to be remove them. This is because there's no proven benefit of doing this and it carries the risk of complications.

Sometimes, wisdom teeth that have become impacted or haven't fully broken through the surface of the gum can cause dental problems. Food and bacteria can get trapped around the edge of the wisdom teeth, causing a build-up of plaque, which can lead to several problems in the mouth:

  • Damage to other teeth. If the wisdom tooth pushes against the second molar, it may damage the second molar or increase the risk of infection in that area. This pressure can also cause problems with crowding of the other teeth or require orthodontic treatment to straighten other teeth.
  • Cysts. The wisdom tooth develops in a sac within the jawbone. The sac can fill with fluid, forming a cyst that can damage the jawbone, teeth and nerves.
  • Decay. Partially impacted wisdom teeth appear to be at higher risk of tooth decay than other teeth. This probably occurs because wisdom teeth are harder to clean and because food and bacteria get easily trapped between the gum and a partially erupted tooth.
  • Gum disease. The difficulty cleaning impacted, partially erupted wisdom teeth increases the risk of developing a painful, inflammatory gum disease in that area.

Many of these problems can be treated with antibiotics, antiseptic mouthwash and a good oral hygiene regime.

Wisdom teeth removal is very common, but usually only recommended when other treatments haven't worked.

How are wisdom teeth removed?

If your Titchfield Dental Health dentist recommends removing your wisdom teeth, they'll take an X-ray of your mouth to help them determine who should carry out the procedure. Your dentist may remove your wisdom teeth, or they may refer you to a specialist surgeon for hospital treatment.

Before the operation, we’ll fully explain the procedure to you.

A local anaesthetic injection is usually given to numb the area around the tooth. You'll feel some pressure just before the tooth is removed, as your dentist or oral surgeon needs to widen the tooth socket by rocking the tooth back and forth.

A small cut in the gum is sometimes necessary, and the tooth may need to be cut into smaller pieces before it's removed.

It takes anything from a few minutes to 20 minutes, or sometimes even longer, to remove a wisdom tooth.

After your wisdom teeth have been removed, you may have swelling and discomfort, both inside and outside your mouth. Occasionally, some mild bruising is also visible. This is usually improves after 3 days, but it can take up to 2 weeks. If this continues for longer, or progresses, please get in touch with the team at Titchfield Dental Health as soon as possible.

Prevention

You can't keep an impaction from occurring but keeping your regular dental appointments for cleaning and reviews enables your dentist to monitor the growth and emergence of your wisdom teeth. Regularly updated dental X-rays may indicate impacted wisdom teeth before any symptoms develop.

If you have any concerns about your wisdom teeth, or are experiencing any pain, give us a call on 01489 581158.

Patient Reviews

People are talking about us

The biggest complement we receive is when our patients refer their friends and family to Titchfield Dental Health. In fact, we have built much of our practice on these valued, trusted recommendations over the years. Read our reviews to hear why our patients are recommending us…

Patient reviews

707 Reviews

5.0

18th January 2025

Overall experience from the reception staff to the clinicians in the practice is always professional and always very friendly

17th January 2025

Everything this survey asked about! The friendly staff, how nice & clean & uncluttered the reception area is, how professional my dentist is, and my hygienist. It’s easy to get appointments, and move them if needed, Just really nice practice, and while the equipment is very modern & up to date which is brilliant, it’s most definitely the staff that make it so good.

15th January 2025

Each time I visit the staff are amazing and put me at ease.

14th January 2025

The way that every thing was dealt with from start to finish.

13th January 2025

All the team are very friendly and welcoming but also very professional. I'm always made to feel at ease when I attend appointments which makes visiting the dentist something not to be nervous about.Never been any different in all the time I've been a client

10th January 2025

I was a very nervous patient and although this never completely leaves you Ruth my hygienist is very understanding and sympathetic which has allowed me to gain more confidence and not to dread walking through the door - thank you Ruth

9th January 2025

Friendly staff that listen to you, very helpful and efficient at their jobs and importantly care

7th January 2025

Friendliness of staff and explanations of hygiene procedure and new equipment being used.

5th January 2025

Friendly staff. Extremely good with nervous clients. Always aware of the proposed treatment. Lovely dental hygienist.

3rd January 2025

The whole team are friendly, smiley and personable! Simple things like I am greeted by name and asked how I have been make such a difference and is very much appreciated. The practice is spotless, warm and inviting

3rd January 2025

Ruth was calm, professional and friendly. The treatment was amazing - really impressed with the water cleaning tool. I was so happy to have my faith in hygienist treatment restored!

1st January 2025

My previous Dental Practice was shocking. So glad to have joined Tichfield!

21st December 2024

Very professional, always friendly, on time.

17th December 2024

The service and staff are brilliant. Make you feel welcome and friendly.

JC

jim colvin

Spent 50 mins in the chair, while Anya Sieinska had her way with my lower front lower teeth...and everything was great. Highly professional appointment and treatment, while having a good laugh, throughout.

6th December 2024

Excellent service as per usual.

6th December 2024

Considering I utterly dislike dentist [not the people of course] I feel at ease when having treatment at Titchfield which to me is essential.

5th December 2024

Ruth was excellent as usual.

TD

Tom Davies

Great experience today with Rick and the team, 10/10!

GO

George O'kane

Best dentist ever

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