Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth eruption can increase your risk of bacterial infection, tooth misalignment, and ongoing pain. Fortunately, at the office of Sabrina E. Mickel, DDS, Dr. Mickel and her team offer a solution to prevent those problems in teens and adults: wisdom teeth removal. To find out whether it’s the right time to schedule wisdom teeth removal, call the office in Beachwood, Ohio, or use the online booking feature today.

What are wisdom teeth?

Wisdom teeth, or third molars, are the four teeth at the very back of your mouth, two in the top arch and two in the bottom arch. They’re the last to erupt, often not appearing until age 17-21. 

Some people never experience wisdom teeth eruption at all because the teeth are trapped under other teeth in the back of the mouth (impaction). Nine out of 10 people have one or more impacted wisdom teeth.  

Why are wisdom teeth a problem?

Wisdom teeth can become a problem when they’re impacted, erupt in the wrong position, or only partially erupt. Issues can include:

• Food can get trapped around mispositioned wisdom teeth, leading to cavities
• Wisdom teeth can crowd other teeth, leading to misalignment 
• Mispositioned wisdom teeth can make flossing difficult
• Partially erupted wisdom teeth can allow bacteria to enter your gums and cause infection
• Impacted wisdom teeth can form a cyst that damages the bone holding your teeth

In addition to the structural issues, impacted or partially erupted wisdom teeth can become quite painful, leading to difficulty chewing or even general jaw pain. 

Wisdom teeth can also cause problems with orthodontic care, preventing braces or Invisalign® from moving the way they need to. 

When is the best time to schedule wisdom teeth removal?

Many providers recommend removing wisdom teeth between the ages of 15-18. Waiting until your mid-30s or later carries much higher risks during the surgery. However, the team takes extra steps to ensure that adults who need wisdom teeth removal have a comfortable experience. 

Nitrous oxide is available to help you relax, and the team uses highly effective local anesthesia to give you a pain-free procedure. After a nitrous oxide procedure, most people don’t even remember the surgery. 

What is recovery like after wisdom teeth removal? 

After your wisdom teeth removal, the team provides detailed recovery directions. You’ll likely have some swelling and minor discomfort, but the team prescribes medication that can help. Additionally, cold compresses can relieve swelling and improve your sense of comfort. 

You’ll follow a soft diet in the first several days and then transition to regular foods. While you might have a few days of discomfort, removing your wisdom teeth now can save you a lot of trouble and pain in the future. 

To book your wisdom teeth removal consultation, call the office of Sabrina E. Mickel, DDS, or use the online booking feature.