No one wants to have teeth removed. But sometimes that’s the best solution. And if you have jaw pain, one potential cause is your wisdom teeth.
Caesar Sweidan, DDS, and Laura Smith, DDS, of Gulf Coast Periodontics & Implants in Gulfport, Mississippi, are experts in diagnosing and treating oral health problems, including problems with wisdom teeth. In this blog post, they explain why wisdom teeth can cause trouble and when an extraction might be necessary.
It’s true that some people live long and pain-free lives with their wisdom teeth. However, these teeth have a bad reputation because they can cause problems when you least expect it, even well into your golden years.
Of all the teeth in your mouth, these molars are the last to arrive. In fact, they usually don’t make an appearance until ages 17-25, long after the last of your “adult” teeth are on the scene. In a perfect world, they would grow in perfectly positioned and with plenty of room. However, more often than not, wisdom teeth:
If any of these issues occur, it’s common to experience jaw discomfort, pressure, and stiffness in the affected area. In some cases, you can even develop bacterial gum infections at the eruption site leading to swelling, inflammation, and more pain.
If you have jaw discomfort, Dr. Sweidan and Dr. Smith can confirm whether your wisdom teeth are to blame for your symptoms.
Dr. Sweidan and Dr. Smith rely on 3-D scanners to assess teeth above and below the gumline. This technology can help them determine if wisdom teeth are causing the issue. They can also evaluate the positions of your teeth to determine if they might rotate or grow toward nearby molars, which are situations that can trigger pain and jeopardize your oral health.
Based on your evaluation, they can advise you on if it’s safe to monitor your wisdom teeth or if you should have them removed. If removal is the best option, you can rest easy knowing you’re in good hands. Dr. Sweidan and Dr. Smith are experts in removing wisdom teeth, and thanks to sedation, you won’t feel a thing during your procedure.
After your wisdom teeth are removed, you can expect some minor swelling, slight bleeding, and discomfort for a few days. However, Dr. Sweidan and Dr. Smith will send you home with detailed instructions on how to stay as comfortable as possible while you recover. You should be able to return to regular activity within a few days, and you should feel like yourself again in a week or two.
Are your wisdom teeth causing jaw discomfort, or do you want to see if they’re the problem? Get the help you need by calling 228-868-9615 or request an appointment online with Gulf Coast Periodontics & Implants today.
