0

What Happens if You Don’t Get Your Wisdom Teeth Removed?

Your third set of molars – commonly called wisdom teeth – grow in between the ages of 17 and 25.

Growing new teeth can be an uncomfortable experience at the best of times. But wisdom teeth have a habit of causing problems for the fully grown teeth that are already in your mouth.

It’s very common to need one or more of your wisdom teeth removed during your life. This usually happens at a young age when the teeth first come in, but it can also become an issue later in life, as your jaw, teeth and bone structure changes.

Like most oral health procedures, having your wisdom teeth removed is something you can’t avoid for long. In this article we’ll see some of the potential complications that can come from wisdom teeth, and what happens if you don’t remove them.

 

Reasons We May Recommend Wisdom Teeth Removal

Wisdom teeth cause some of the most common oral health problems in the world.

This is because human diets have evolved over time. We now eat highly refined foods that require very little chewing. As a result, our jaws have evolved to be narrower and shorter, which leaves less room for a third set of molars.

Your dentist may recommend having your wisdom teeth removed if:

  • There isn’t enough room along your jaw, and the new teeth cause your existing teeth to crowd
  • Wisdom teeth come in crooked and push into the gum or into the neighbouring tooth
  • Wisdom teeth rub against your cheek and cause ulcers or biting problems
  • The new teeth are difficult to keep clean
  • The new teeth regularly trap food because of where and how they have grown
  • The new teeth fail to erupt through the gum

If you experience discomfort, pain, infections or crowding as your wisdom teeth come in, we may recommend having them removed. It’s best to do this as early as possible, before the root of the tooth is fully formed.

 

What Happens if You Don’t Get Your Wisdom Teeth Removed?

Removing wisdom teeth is a routine procedure that carries very few risks for most people. You should follow your dentist’s advice and book a surgery as soon as you’re available. If you don’t have your wisdom teeth removed, you may experience:

  • Regular infections – This is caused by food and bacteria becoming trapped in your gums or between your teeth. This may be an issue if your wisdom teeth come in crooked and cause crowding, or if the wisdom teeth don’t break through your gums fully.
  • Cysts – A wisdom tooth that doesn’t break through the gums may develop into a cyst. This can damage your teeth, gums and jaw bone, and it may become infected if left untreated.
  • Impacted teeth – Wisdom teeth often come in crooked and are considered impacted. This can cause crowding, damage the surrounding teeth or cause issues with chewing. Impacted wisdom teeth are also difficult to keep clean, which can lead to decay and gum disease.

 

What to Expect After Wisdom Tooth Removal

Having teeth removed can be daunting. Many patients are worried about the pain during the procedure and throughout recovery.

The good news is that local anaesthetic can eliminate any pain during the procedure. You may feel tugging as the tooth is removed, but this shouldn’t be painful. If you choose to have your wisdom teeth removed under full anaesthesia then there won’t be any pain involved.

It’s normal to be sore for 3-5 days after your surgery. Your dentist will provide appropriate pain relief during that time. Beyond that point, over the counter pain relief (paracetamol and ibuprofen) should be sufficient to manage the pain. Go back to your dentist immediately if you experience severe pain or if the prescribed pain relief isn’t enough.

After the procedure you should follow your dentist’s instructions closely. This will usually include:

  • Taking pain relief as required (your dentist will prescribe an appropriate medication)
  • Avoid brushing near the extraction site for several days, and brush gently to prevent damage to the surgical wound
  • Avoid drinking through a straw, rinsing your mouth or spitting for 24 hours
  • Eat soft foods and things that are easy to chew for the next several days
  • Avoid smoking for 48 hours
  • Avoid alcohol until the wound has closed properly
  • Avoid vigorous physical activity that could cause pain or dislodge blood clots that are preventing your gums from bleeding

 

Concerned About Your Wisdom Teeth? Book an Appointment with Camira Dental!

Most adults will need one or more wisdom teeth removed at some point. That’s unfortunate, but it’s something that needs to be taken care of. If your wisdom teeth are causing pain, discomfort or bleeding, book a consultation with Camira Dental as soon as possible.

Camira Dental is an experienced dental practice based in Ipswich. We offer a comprehensive range of dental services, including wisdom tooth extractions. Our dentists use state-of-the-art techniques and pain management solutions to make the procedure painless. Afterwards, we’ll provide pain relief and all the instructions you need to manage your recovery.

Don’t ignore wisdom teeth that are causing problems – the sooner you address the issue, the easier it is to extract the teeth. You can book a consultation online, or give us a call to find out more about having your wisdom teeth removed at Camira Dental.