As with any teeth problems, it's important to see your dentist as soon as possible, rather than waiting for your regular dental check-up. Your wisdom teeth don't usually need to be removed if they're impacted but aren't causing any problems. 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:. Many of these problems can be treated with antibiotics and antiseptic mouthwash. Your dentist may remove your wisdom teeth, or they may refer you to a specialist surgeon for hospital treatment. Before the operation, the procedure will usually be explained to you and you may be asked to sign a consent form.
You'll usually be given a local anaesthetic injection 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. Removing a wisdom tooth can involve cutting the gum to uncover your tooth, removing bone around your tooth and dividing your tooth with a drill.
You may need to take up to a week off work. You should be able to return to normal activities within a week. Removing a wisdom tooth is usually a safe and effective way to prevent your symptoms from coming back. Other than for your personal, non-commercial use, you may not copy, print out, download or otherwise reproduce any of the information.
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Find out some of the essentials for looking after your newborn. Such people include those who have artificial heart valves or were born with heart defects. All surgeries, including oral surgery, that use general anesthetic have a small risk of death or other complications.
If your wisdom teeth are not causing problems, it may be difficult to decide whether to have these teeth removed to prevent possible dental problems later in life. Think about the following:. Women on birth control pills who decide to have their wisdom teeth removed should try to schedule the surgery for the end of their menstrual cycle usually days 23 through There seems to be less risk of dry socket during this time. After a wisdom tooth is removed, you may have or notice:.
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Top of the page. Surgery Overview An oral and maxillofacial surgeon or your dentist can remove extract a wisdom tooth. Bite gently on the gauze pad periodically, and change pads as they become soaked with blood. Call your dentist or oral surgeon if you still have bleeding 24 hours after your surgery.
While your mouth is numb, be careful not to bite the inside of your cheek or lip, or your tongue. Do not lie flat. This may prolong bleeding. Prop up your head with pillows. Try using an ice pack on the outside of your cheek. Apply for 15 to 20 minutes at a time for the first 24 hours.
You can use moist heat—such as a face cloth soaked in warm water and wrung out—for the following 2 or 3 days. Relax after surgery. Physical activity may increase bleeding. This is to allow a blood clot to form in the empty tooth socket. Blood clots are part of the healing process, so try not to dislodge them. In some cases, antibiotics may be prescribed if you have an ongoing infection. Page last reviewed: 17 May Next review due: 17 May Anaesthesia Before having your wisdom teeth removed, you'll be given an injection of local anaesthetic to numb the tooth and surrounding area.
Removing the wisdom tooth If the tooth hasn't come through the gum, a small cut incision will be made in the gum to access it.
After surgery If an incision has been made, dissolving stitches are used to seal the gum.
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