Wisdom teeth are the last teeth to emerge from your gums and grow at the back of your mouth. There are usually four wisdom teeth, one in each corner of the mouth. Usually, wisdom teeth emerge during the late teens or early twenties. Wisdom teeth usually cannot grow properly before the other 28 adult teeth are in place, so there isn’t always enough room in the mouth for them. Wisdom teeth may sometimes emerge at an angle or get stuck and only partially emerge due to lack of space. This type of growth is called impacted wisdom teeth.

Your wisdom teeth should be seen by your dentist if they are causing severe pain. You’ll be advised whether to remove your teeth if they need to be removed. A dentist will usually take an X-ray of your mouth if they think you need your wisdom teeth removed. This allows them to see your teeth more clearly. Instead of waiting until your next dental checkup, see your dentist right away if you experience any tooth problems.

When wisdom teeth are impacted but aren’t causing any problems, they don’t need to be removed. It carries the risk of complications and doesn’t have any proven benefits.

Dental problems can occur when wisdom teeth have become impacted or have not fully broken through the gum surface. Plaque can form around the edges of wisdom teeth due to food and bacteria getting trapped there.

There can be pain and infection associated with wisdom tooth impaction, making it very difficult to brush these teeth. A wisdom tooth can develop tooth decay and gum infections called pericoronitis if food and bacteria get stuck between it and the surrounding tooth.

Wisdom teeth that are crowded often lean sideways and rub against the cheeks. The result may be ulcers on the cheeks and difficulty chewing.

It is possible to suffer severe pain and discomfort due to a tooth infection, also known as a dental abscess or abscessed tooth. Many people who suffer from dental pain or infection seek treatment as soon as possible, but some delay treatment because they cannot get an appointment with a dentist or are worried about paying for an ER or urgent care visit.

However, untreated dental infections can lead to serious or long-lasting complications. Infections of the teeth are rarely life-threatening thanks to improved dental hygiene, modern dentistry, and antibiotics. Waiting too long to get your infection treated increases the chances that it will spread to other parts of your body, such as your jawbone, cheek, and neck.

Life-threatening infections can travel to the bloodstream, heart, or brain in rare cases. For this reason, it’s important to seek medical attention as It is especially important to see a dentist for regular preventative care as soon as you experience any of the symptoms of a tooth infection. Failure to do so can result in more expensive treatment in the long run and, most importantly, cause serious health complications.

The procedure may be performed in your dentist’s office. A dentist may recommend you see an oral surgeon if your tooth is deeply impacted or if extraction requires a deep surgical approach. Sedation may be recommended in addition to local anesthetic to make you more comfortable during the procedure.

You should ask your dentist any questions you have ahead of the procedure, such as how long to abstain from food and drink, and if you will require assistance returning home due to the administration of an anesthetic. Patients can have their wisdom teeth removed at the Dentistry of Oxnard. For more information, contact us or schedule an appointment online with our pediatric dentistry specialist, or visit our clinic conveniently located at 4225 Saviers Rd # 9, Oxnard, CA 93033. We serve patients from Oxnard CA, El Rio CA, Port Hueneme CA, Saticoy CA, Camarillo CA, and surrounding areas.