Will a Wisdom Tooth Eventually Erupt?

Most people will have to have a wisdom tooth pulled out at some point in their lives. Wisdom teeth are the last set of teeth to show up, but they should have all erupted by the age of 21. Sometimes, wisdom teeth do not always erupt and they get stuck underneath the gums due to a lack of space on the jaw or bone tissues obstructing proper growth of the tooth.

A wisdom tooth is considered to be impacted when it cannot physically erupt due to obstructions. At times, wisdom teeth erupt partially before their growth stops. A wisdom tooth not erupting properly can lead to a variety of issues like the wisdom tooth growing toward adjacent teeth, damaging their structures. It also makes teeth in the area more susceptible to gum disease and tooth decay since they are harder to clean.

Dealing with an impacted wisdom tooth

The standard way to deal with an impacted wisdom tooth is extraction. The procedure involves extracting the tooth from its socket. An impacted tooth usually requires a surgical extraction since there might not be enough of the tooth accessible to pull it out. The dentist might have to make an incision into the gums so the tooth can be reached. Small amounts of bone tissues might also be removed during the procedure so the dentist or oral surgeon can better access the tooth. The dentist might opt to break the tooth into smaller chunks with a special tool so that it is easier to extract it.

Patients are given a shot of a local anesthetic to prevent them from feeling pain as the dentist works. All the person feels is pressure from the dentist pushing and pulling on their teeth. The procedure should be over in about an hour.

Recovering from wisdom tooth extraction

Teeth extractions come with a recovery period that can last up to two weeks. Patients should expect to deal with some pain and discomfort after the procedure. Pain killers are often prescribed to help patients to cope with the discomfort. The first three days are the worst, then the pain begins to go away. Here is how to take care of your mouth after an extraction:

• Bite down on gauze to stop the bleeding after the procedure
• Stick to liquid and soft meals for the first few days after an extraction
• Avoid brushing, flossing or using mouthwash for the first few days after the extraction
• Use a saltwater rinse to clean the mouth after meals
• Avoid using straws, spitting or anything else that requires suction
• Do not touch the socket or let food particles get stuck in it
• Get lots of rest. This allows the body to heal faster
• Stay away from habits like smoking or drinking alcohol

An extraction might be what you need

Wisdom teeth are more prone to developing issues than your other teeth so dentists often recommend pulling them when problems arise. Call our Trophy Club clinic if you need treatment for a problematic tooth.

Request an appointment here: https://trophysmilestudio.com or call Trophy Smile Studio at (817) 210-4049 for an appointment in our Trophy Club office.

Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Wisdom Tooth in Trophy Club, TX.