Wisdom teeth, located at the back of the mouth are the last teeth to develop and cause a range of common complaints including overcrowded teeth, tooth decay and dental abscesses and gum infections.
It is quite common for wisdom teeth to only partially erupt into place mainly due to lack of space and crowding with the remainder of the tooth covered by gum. This is a breading ground for germs and bacteria and mostly the nasties anaerobic bacteria, which usually contribute to the repeated gum infections and swollen faces that wisdom teeth are famous for.
These so called impacted wisdom teeth are one of the causes of bad breath. They also often end up causing considerable damage to the adjacent teeth in front. Both through decay and gum disease. Impacted wisdom teeth are also often attributed to crowding or increasing crowding, but they are not the only factor.
While many people live their whole lives with their wisdom teeth intact, if there is damage being caused to the neighbouring molars or there is a risk of infection, your dentist may recommend the wisdom teeth be extracted.
Wisdom Teeth Extraction
Depending on the severity of the problem, your wisdom tooth (or teeth) may be extracted under local anaesthetic, penthrox sedation or general anaesthetic.
Wisdom tooth extraction is a surgical procedure, and as such you may experience some discomfort and swelling after your visit. Any pain and swelling can usually be controlled with a combination of the following treatments:
- Pain relievers and anti-inflammatories
- Daily salt-water or mouthwash rinses
- Cold compresses over the affected area
When you have your wisdom teeth extracted at The Dentist at Burwood, we strive to make sure that your experience and recovery is as comfortable as possible. We will walk you through the complete procedure and our caring and attentive staff will answer any questions that you may have.