How Wisdom Teeth Removal Affects Your Gums

Teeth start to grow during pregnancy, but they are not visible until months after birth in many cases. This type of teeth is called temporary or milk teeth. These come off by the age of six years when a child grows permanent teeth. However, they do not achieve the 32 teeth of adults.

Some teeth do not grow at this time until the late teens and early twenties. These are called wisdom teeth. By this time, there are already 28 teeth in the mouth, and the wisdom teeth, which are four, two on top and two on the bottom jaw, make the teeth 32.

In some cases, there is not enough space to accommodate the wisdom teeth, and you might experience some problems.

​Signs of Wisdom Teeth Coming in

A dental X-ray can show wisdom teeth growing in. So how can you tell your wisdom teeth are coming in and about to rupture? Below are some of the aspects to look out for:

• The area where wisdom teeth are growing may experience some pain. This pain is common, but if it spread to the eyes and ears or the head may indicate a different problem. It would help if you visited a dentist to be examined and treated.
• Pain in the jaws or the back of your mouth could show wisdom teeth coming in. However, it can also be caused by the temporomandibular disorder, which affects the jaw, jaw joints, and the surrounding muscles.
• Head and earaches will develop when wisdom teeth are trying to come in, but there is no space due to the arrangement of the other teeth. As a result, pressure will build up and cause pain in the mouth, and it will spread to other areas.

Other symptoms include swelling of the gum behind the second molar and tender jaws. You may also have trouble when opening your mouth wide and a bad taste in your mouth.

Wisdom Teeth Removal

Although the symptoms that come with the growth of wisdom teeth are mild, in some cases, you might experience sharp pain when you get impacted wisdom teeth. This pain will make it difficult for you to chew using your second molar.

Tooth impaction means that they are stuck under the gum or do not have enough space to break through. These teeth need to be removed. A dental X-ray will be used to help our dentist see the impacted tooth.

The removal procedure does not result in long-term complications. However, impacted wisdom teeth extraction will require a surgical approach that involves making an incision in the gum tissue and removing the bone. If your teeth are deeply impacted, you will need depth surgery performed by an oral surgeon.

The possible problems that can result from the removal are:

• Your empty socket may get an infection caused by bacteria or food trapped in it. Maintaining proper mouth hygiene will help you avoid these.
• There is possible damage to the nerves, nearby teeth, and the jaw. Therefore, our dentist will be extra careful to avoid damaging them.
• ​Painful sockets when the post-surgical clot is lost

Does Your Gum Grow Back After Wisdom Tooth Extraction?

After the wisdom teeth removal procedure, our dentist will treat the gum at the extraction point to promote healing. Dissolvable stitches can be used to stop the bleeding, although a section of gauze is placed in many cases. Clot forms in the empty socket to provide a foundation for healing, and soft tissue starts to grow. After a few days, the soft tissue will fill the empty socket.

With time, the socket will be replaced by bone, closing the hole completely and permanently. There won’t be pain when this process takes place, and your gums will require 3-4 weeks to grow back fully. In some cases, it can take a few months. You should also ensure you maintain proper oral hygiene keeping your teeth and gum clean to avoid infections.

At Toronto East Maxillofacial Surgery, we offer wisdom teeth extraction. Our oral and maxillofacial surgeon is skilled with many years of experience with patients. You will also be treated for other dental problems, and we have state-of-the-art equipment to make your visit comfortable. So book an appointment with us today for our top services.