For many people, even hearing the words wisdom teeth is enough to make them anxious. Unfortunately, some people have a very negative experience with wisdom teeth as they can be painful, but often they don’t cause any trouble at all. If you do have troublesome wisdom teeth, we can help to ease your pain and have you fighting fit again in no time.
About the wisdom teeth
The wisdom teeth are also known as the third molars. They are nicknamed wisdom teeth because they are the last teeth to develop, usually appearing in your adult years. There are four wisdom teeth in total, one in each corner of the mouth. Some people get their wisdom teeth without any problems at all, but for others it can be an uncomfortable process. The wisdom teeth tend to be painful when there is not enough space in the jaw for them to develop normally. If there is a lack of space, the teeth may start to grow and push against the neighbouring teeth or grow at an angle and this can be painful. These teeth are known as impacted wisdom teeth.
Coping with dental pain
If you have painful wisdom teeth, you can try taking over the counter pain relief to ease discomfort in the short-term. However, we recommend calling and making an appointment with your dentist. If you are suffering from pain on a persistent basis or your tooth is impacted or decayed, we will usually recommend extraction. You don’t actually need your wisdom teeth and often the best course of action is to take them out. This way they won’t cause you any more discomfort or harm the surrounding teeth.
Wisdom tooth extraction is much the same as normal tooth extraction. However, the procedure may be more complex because of the location of the tooth right at the back of the mouth. Your dentist will explain how the treatment works and what the procedure entails and they will also talk you through the possible risks and side-effects. Extraction is carried out under anaesthetic, so you shouldn’t feel anything, but we understand that the procedure may make many patients feel anxious. If you are a nervous patient, we will do everything we can to prevent discomfort and help you to feel as relaxed as possible.
If you have questions about wisdom teeth or you’ve been suffering with dental pain for a while, now is the time to get in touch. Call us today to book an appointment.
