Getting Wise About Wisdom Teeth

Removing your wisdom teeth has become a “rite of passage” for many teens. If your high school students haven’t had their wisdom teeth removed, they probably know a friend who has had at least one wisdom tooth extracted. But how much do you really know about wisdom teeth and their effect on dental health? We’ve put together some quick facts to help you “wise up” about wisdom teeth.

Interesting Facts

• Wisdom teeth are the third and final set of molars in the back of the mouth. By the time they emerge, most people are in their late teens or early twenties.
• In Korea, wisdom teeth are called “love teeth” because they come in around when people traditionally fall in love for the first time.
• They are called wisdom teeth because people assume you are smarter by the time you are in your teens or twenties.
• Some people have four wisdom teeth, one each in the upper and lower jaws in the back of the mouth on each side. Some have one, two, or three wisdom teeth, and others never develop them.

Painful Truths

• Wisdom teeth often cause problems because there isn’t enough room in the back of the mouth for them to emerge properly. They may grow at odd angles or only partially erupt from the gums, making them difficult to clean and contributing to cavities and infections.
• Wisdom teeth that can’t fully emerge or that are trapped in the jawbone are referred to as “impacted.” If a tooth is impacted, it often causes pain or shifts the neighboring molars out of alignment.
• Left untreated, impacted wisdom teeth can lead to infection, tooth loss, damage to your jawbone and gums, and abscesses.
• Common symptoms of an impacted wisdom tooth are pain at the back of the mouth, pain when opening or closing the jaw, chronic headache radiating from the back of the mouth to the ear, swollen and painful gums, and bleeding gums when brushing your teeth or chewing.
• The longer you wait to remove your wisdom teeth, the more difficult removing them can be because the roots continue to grow, impinging on nerves and blood vessels in the jawbone.

Wisdom Teeth Relief

• Removing your wisdom teeth in your teens or early twenties can provide significant relief from potential serious dental issues later in life. This proactive approach can help you avoid more complicated surgeries and longer recovery times.
• Wisdom teeth removal is done under sedation for a painless experience.
• Recovery following wisdom teeth removal is a manageable process, typically taking three days to a week. Any initial pain or swelling begins to subside after the third day, allowing your child to return to their normal routine with minimal disruption.
• At Florida OMFS, our experienced surgeons provide detailed post-op instructions to our patients who have their wisdom teeth extracted. We are committed to ensuring your comfort and a successful recovery, and we are here to answer any questions you may have about the procedure.

Without X-rays and a dental exam, it is impossible to know whether your wisdom teeth are likely to cause problems later in life. Making an appointment with our office is the only way to know for sure and removing them before they cause you pain is the best way to minimize complications and protect your dental health.