Third molars (most often known as wisdom teeth) typically emerge during early adulthood, in the late teens and early to mid-twenties. They’re the final set of teeth to appear, although not everybody will develop them. Today, wisdom teeth aren’t necessary for our lifestyles and diets – and sometimes, their appearance can actually cause problems.
Why removing wisdom teeth is necessary
For our Bristol dentists, wisdom tooth removal is a commonly carried-out procedure. Because modern jawbones don’t really need wisdom teeth, they’ve evolved to the extent that they often don’t have enough space to accommodate them. If the new teeth can’t emerge fully, we see issues arising. Where space is tight, wisdom teeth might become impacted (blocked), or cause misalignment of your existing teeth. And, if these molars only partially erupt, bacteria can become trapped in the gum, leading to infections.
Signs you should see a dentist
Not all wisdom teeth cause issues, and many will develop perfectly healthily. However, problems are common. If you notice any of the following signs, it’s best to see a dentist as soon as possible:
- Pain or discomfort, especially at the back of your mouth;
- Swelling or bleeding in your gums;
- Bad breath or an unpleasant taste in your mouth;
- Difficulty opening your mouth;
- Headaches or earache (which can be a sign of referred pain);
- Food becoming trapped in your gums.
Mild symptoms can quickly develop into bigger issues, especially if your teeth or gums develop an infection, so we always recommend acting early if you’re worried.
Can you leave them?
Unhappy wisdom teeth will only cause ongoing disruption in your mouth – both in the short- and long-term. Leaving a problematic tooth is likely to cause knock-on effects, such as infection, misalignment or damage, gum disease, and tooth decay (if cleaning is difficult). So, although healthy wisdom teeth can be left alone, impacted or partially erupted teeth should be removed.
Avoiding NHS waiting lists
If you’re an NHS patient, or you’re registered with a practice that can’t carry out surgical procedures, you’re likely to be referred to a local hospital for wisdom tooth removal. However, in Bristol, NHS dental services are in high demand. Waiting lists for wisdom tooth removal can exceed 12 months, which is a long time to spend if you’re worried or in discomfort. Here at The Bristol Dental Practice, we’re able to offer private in-house treatment, with no waiting list – meaning you can quickly and efficiently handle your problem tooth, and continue with everyday life.
What happens during a wisdom tooth removal?
If you think a wisdom tooth needs to be removed, we can support you from an initial consultation, right through to aftercare, with no need to be referred elsewhere. We’ll begin by carrying out a detailed examination including x-rays and digital scans, to confirm the right course of action. If we agree that removal is best, we’ll then schedule an appointment with our oral surgeon.
During extraction, your comfort is key, so we’ll talk you through your options for anaesthesia. The extraction itself will be carried out under local anaesthetic, meaning you’ll be awake but comfortable – all you’ll feel is pressure. If you’re anxious, we can also offer conscious sedation, overseen by our specially trained clinicians. Patients typically report feeling very relaxed and unconcerned during the procedure, while many have little to no memory of it afterwards.
The surgery itself is very straightforward, as the wisdom tooth is carefully extracted. In some cases, we may need to make a small incision in your gum, but this isn’t always necessary. We’ll then clean and stitch the area. Following this, you can go home to rest and recover.
What comes next?
As you heal, we’ll be on hand to offer any help or advice you need. For the first few days, we recommend taking things easy; you may notice some mild swelling, bleeding and discomfort. This can be eased using anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen, and placing ice packs on your cheeks for 15-20 minutes at a time. While the area recovers, stick to soft foods and avoid smoking, alcohol and drinking through a straw. This will all help to promote healthy healing.
Recovery takes between one and two weeks, but do follow any post-operative instructions and try to avoid strenuous activity. Severe pain and delayed healing can be signs of a dry socket – when the protective blood clot in the socket has been dislodged. This is easily treated with a follow-up appointment.
Expert wisdom tooth removal in Bristol
Our in-house dentists are very experienced in guiding patients through wisdom tooth removal. Often, we can schedule next-day appointments for initial consultations, with your treatment being carried out within one to two weeks. Our practice in the heart of Bristol is equipped with the latest technology, meaning we’re constantly able to make the treatment process quicker and easier. If you’d like to book an appointment, you can self-refer for wisdom tooth removal with our specialists, Dr Jonathan Cochrane and Dr Kathryn French. They’re both trained oral surgeons, meaning you can feel confident you’ll be in safe hands.
Our in-house dentists are very experienced in guiding patients through wisdom tooth removal. Often, we can schedule next-day appointments for initial consultations, with your treatment being carried out within one to two weeks. Our practice in the heart of Bristol is equipped with the latest technology, meaning we’re constantly able to make the treatment process quicker and easier. If you’d like to book an appointment, you can self-refer for wisdom tooth removal with our specialists, Dr Jonathan Cochrane and Dr Kathryn French. They’re both trained oral surgeons, meaning you can feel confident you’ll be in safe hands.