What You Should Know About Wisdom Teeth: Removal and Recovery
Wisdom teeth grow at the back of your gums. They are often referred to as wisdom teeth, third molars, or even supernumerary wisdom teeth. The wisdom tooth is the last tooth to come through and usually does so in late teens or early twenties. These wisdom teeth can cause problems for patients if they grow too long and emerge at an angle (impacted) or don’t fully come through (partially impacted). If wisdom teeth are impacted, they can cause pain and swelling. Usually dentists recommend wisdom tooth removal for this reason.
Most people have four wisdom teeth, but it is possible to have more or less than this number in your mouth. Wisdom teeth usually grow through the gums during late teens and early twenties while other adult teeth are already in place. This lack of space can cause wisdom teeth to emerge at an angle or get stuck only partially emerging from the gum tissue until later on (post 30s). When wisdom tooth pain occurs there’s not always enough room for them to fully break through into the correct chewing position, which often causes wisdom tooth discomfort and swelling around your jaw line and cheek areas where these molars erupt. If wisdom tooth extraction isn’t handled properly, this can cause infection over time.
Through our safe, and health regulated app, Toothfairy™ can connect you to a dentist via secure video call for advice and assessment of your issues. If you are unable to access a dentist out of hours or are not registered with a dentist, our platform is here to help you.
Wisdom Teeth Removal Surgery
The most common surgical procedure carried out in the UK is wisdom teeth removal surgery (or third molar extraction). Wisdom teeth grow at the back of your gums where 28 adult teeth are. Approximately 6% of people in the UK undergo wisdom surgery each year on average. Wisdom tooth extraction can be difficult because it requires a lot more precision than other types of dental surgeries due to its location in the mouth.
The main reason wisdom teeth are removed is because there often isn’t enough space in the mouth for them to grow properly. When wisdom teeth don’t have enough room to grow, they can become impacted and cause pain, swelling, and other complications. Wisdom tooth removal is a relatively simple surgery that can be done under local or general anesthesia. Because wisdom teeth are the last permanent molars to grow in, they can cause problems for wisdom tooth extraction patients by damaging existing teeth or creating spaces which allow other teeth to shift.
The recovery period after wisdom tooth surgery is fairly short and there shouldn’t be any major complications. The pain of wisdom tooth removal usually subsides within a few hours to a few days, and swelling usually goes down within a week. However, it is important to follow the post-operative instructions provided by your dentist to ensure a speedy and complication-free recovery.
If you are experiencing pain or swelling after wisdom tooth surgery, please consult your dentist as soon as possible. Remember that wisdom tooth removal is a relatively simple surgery, and it shouldn’t take more than a week for you to resume your regular activities after wisdom tooth extraction.
Book your emergency or wisdom tooth consult with Toothfairy™ here:
TOOTH FAIRY HEALTHCARE LTD trading as Tooth Fairy App with its registered address at Office 1 21 Hatherton Street, WS4 2LA, Walsall, England is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and entered on the Financial Services Register, reference number 927593.