According to accepted statistics, more than 90% of young adults (around the age of 20) have at least one wisdom tooth that hasn’t or has partially erupted. It’s not uncommon for wisdom teeth to erupt until the patient is in his or her late 20’s or early 30’s.
The dental practice of routine wisdom tooth extraction began in the 1950’s. In 2015, Dr. Tara Renton, Professor of Oral Surgery at King’s College, London stated that more than 500,000 wisdom tooth extractions are performed by the NHS every single year.
So, what do you need to know about impacted wisdom teeth? Let’s have a look at the symptoms, risks, diagnoses and treatments for patients who have impacted wisdom teeth.
If you are searching for professional advice regarding wisdom teeth removal in Galway, Galway Dentists provide experienced and compassionate dental care for patients suffering from impacted, infected or painful wisdom teeth. Our experienced dental team regularly treats patients experiencing swelling, tooth pain, gum infections and discomfort caused by wisdom teeth.
Many patients searching online for an emergency dentist Galway, wisdom tooth pain relief Galway or wisdom tooth extraction Galway are often suffering from severe discomfort or infection. Early assessment and treatment can help prevent complications and avoid more serious oral health issues developing.
What Are Wisdom Teeth?
From birth to adulthood, teeth erupt in stages. The first teeth to come in are incisors, followed by canines. Premolars and molars are the next set of teeth to erupt from the gums, with the final stage being wisdom teeth.
Often referred to as third molars by learned and experienced dentists in Galway – and across Ireland – wisdom teeth appear at the back of a patient’s mouth. It’s not uncommon for patients to never have the slightest problem with their wisdom teeth, however some patients can experience discomfort, pain and even infection – these symptoms are more potent in patients who endure impacted wisdom teeth.
In instances where wisdom teeth don’t have enough space inside your mouth to emerge from the gum, or if a tooth or teeth become lodged beneath your gum, they are ‘impacted.’ This can result in tooth decay and other dental problems – leading to disease in the worst-case scenarios.
Wisdom teeth usually erupt between the ages of 17 and 25. While some people experience no issues at all, others may develop impacted wisdom teeth that can cause pressure, swelling, infection and crowding of nearby teeth.
At Galway Dentists, we regularly help patients dealing with impacted wisdom teeth, swollen gums and jaw pain. Early diagnosis from a trusted dentist in Galway can help avoid complications and unnecessary discomfort.
The Symptoms of Impacted Wisdom Teeth
As any knowledgeable Galway Dentists will tell you, the symptoms of impacted teeth are clear and easy to identify. These symptoms can increase in severity depending on the position of a patient’s wisdom teeth in relation to surrounding teeth and when the wisdom teeth are fully or partially erupted.
Patients can expect an impacted tooth to cause food to be trapped in difficult or impossible to reach areas of the mouth to clean. If left situated in the same place, this can lead to cavities, infection and the tooth becoming very painful.
Should the tooth become infected, there are a wealth of indicators that patients should be aware of. Such symptoms range from pain or swelling around the jaw and red, swollen or bleeding gums to pungent breath and an unsavoury taste in the patient’s mouth. The patient may also find it difficult to open and close their mouth.
Additional symptoms of impacted wisdom teeth may include headaches, earache, facial swelling and sensitivity when chewing food. Some patients also notice bad breath or recurring infections around the gum tissue.
If you experience persistent pain at the back of your mouth, it is important to arrange an appointment with an experienced Galway dentist as soon as possible. Leaving impacted wisdom teeth untreated can increase the risk of infection and damage to surrounding teeth.
The Risks of Impacted Wisdom Teeth
Patients suffering with impacted wisdom teeth are exposed to several risks. Not only is the eruption of one or more wisdom teeth at the back of the mouth likely to be very painful, inhibiting what a patient can and cannot eat, it’s likely to be quite painful.
There are a handful of more serious health risks to patients who leave impacted wisdom teeth untreated for prolonged periods of time. As responsible Galway Dentists, we’ve listed these below:
- Damage to surrounding teeth – should the wisdom teeth grow in a way that it pushes against the second molar, it may damage the tooth and/or increase the risk of infection in the area. This pressure can also cause problems with the crowding of the teeth or require orthodontic treatment to straighten teeth in the future.
- Cysts – should the wisdom tooth develop in a sac within the jawbone, this sac can become filled with fluid. If left untreated, this can damage teeth, the jawbone and nerves. Very often benign (or non-cancerous) this doesn’t stop a cyst from developing into a large problem – something that can eventually require the removal of tissue and even bone.
- Decay – partially impacted wisdom teeth carry a higher risk of decay than any other teeth. This is because wisdom teeth are harder to clean than other teeth and food and bacteria can easily become trapped between the gum and a partially erupted tooth.
- Gum disease – the difficulty in cleaning partially erupted wisdom teeth carries with it an increased risk of gum disease. This risk of patients developing pericoronitis (a painful and inflammatory gum condition) is increased significantly.
Impacted wisdom teeth can also contribute to persistent bad breath, jaw stiffness and recurring swelling around the gums. In severe cases, untreated infections can spread and affect surrounding areas of the mouth and jaw.
Regular dental examinations and x-rays allow dentists to monitor developing wisdom teeth before serious problems occur. This is why visiting a trusted dental clinic Galway regularly is so important for long-term oral health.
The Diagnosis of Impacted Wisdom Teeth
Despite the pain and suffering patients with impacted wisdom teeth endure and the symptoms and risks associated with impacted wisdom teeth, experienced dentists in Galway understand that diagnosing impacted wisdom teeth is a reasonably straightforward process.
Dentists can diagnose if your wisdom teeth are impacted by taking a simple x-ray of your mouth. They can look at your wisdom teeth from several angles viewing the crown of your tooth and the roots. The angle of your tooth and whether it’s protruding on a tooth allows dentists to clearly identify if one or more of your wisdom teeth are impacted.
Meticulous Galway Dentists will also be able to diagnose any infections resulting from the impacted wisdom tooth. This will appear as discolouration on an x-ray and be evident upon viewing the image.
Modern digital x-rays help dentists assess the position of wisdom teeth quickly and accurately. During your consultation, our Galway dentists will also examine your gums, jaw and surrounding teeth to determine the best treatment plan for your oral health.
The Treatment of Impacted Wisdom Teeth
Though there are a range of home remedies used to treat impacted wisdom teeth, it’s not uncommon for dentists to recommend a wisdom tooth extraction. This is completed to prevent the spread of infection, relieve pain and to reduce the potential for further health complications to arise.
Any wisdom tooth extraction is usually an outpatient procedure. Patients are free to return home on the same day, usually with the recommendation that they don’t drive and that they take the opportunity to relax for the remainder of the day.
Part of the procedure involves the use of anaesthetic drugs to induce sedation. Patients have the choice of a local anaesthetic which merely numbs your mouth, sedation anaesthetic to relax you and block any pain or a general anaesthetic which will make patients unconscious during the entire procedure.
Then experienced dentists in Galway will make an incision in the patient’s gums and remove the problematic wisdom tooth – and any additional impacted tooth with significant cavities or infection. The whole procedure takes about 30-60 minutes and, in most cases, is considered routine.
Following wisdom tooth removal, patients may experience mild swelling and discomfort for a few days. Our Galway dental team will provide full aftercare instructions to help support healing and reduce the risk of complications.
Most patients recover quickly and are able to return to normal daily activities within a short period of time. Proper aftercare, including avoiding smoking and maintaining good oral hygiene, is essential following a wisdom tooth extraction.
Why Choose Galway Dentists For Wisdom Tooth Removal?
At Galway Dentists, we provide professional and gentle wisdom tooth treatment for patients across Galway City and surrounding areas. Our experienced team focuses on patient comfort while delivering safe and effective treatment.
Whether you require a routine wisdom tooth extraction, emergency dental treatment or advice regarding impacted wisdom teeth, our team is here to help. We understand that many patients feel nervous about oral surgery, which is why we take the time to explain every stage of the procedure clearly.
Patients searching for a reliable emergency dentist Galway, wisdom teeth Galway or tooth extraction Galway can contact Galway Dentists for professional care and prompt appointments.
Frequently Asked Questions About Wisdom Teeth
What age do wisdom teeth usually appear?
Wisdom teeth typically erupt between the ages of 17 and 25, although some people may experience them later.
Do all wisdom teeth need to be removed?
No, wisdom teeth only need to be removed if they are causing pain, infection, crowding or other oral health issues.
How do I know if my wisdom tooth is impacted?
Symptoms of impacted wisdom teeth can include swelling, pain, jaw stiffness, gum inflammation, headaches and difficulty chewing.
Is wisdom tooth removal painful?
The procedure itself is carried out using local anaesthetic or sedation to minimise discomfort. Mild soreness after treatment is normal and usually manageable.
How long does recovery take after wisdom tooth extraction?
Most patients recover within a few days to a week, although complete healing can take longer depending on the complexity of the extraction.
There is all the pertinent information that you need to know about wisdom teeth. Should you be in pain and suffering the effects of impacted teeth, or wish to ask any questions about wisdom teeth in general, call us today on: (091) 58 22 22 or email: [email protected].
You can also contact Galway Dentists online to arrange a consultation with a trusted dentist in Galway or learn more about our treatments including wisdom tooth removal Galway, dental implants Galway and emergency dentist Galway.
