At SMILE! Advanced Dental Center, we often receive a lot of inquiries about wisdom teeth — and the removal of these teeth.

To help clear up any mystery and impart some “wisdom” about this set of teeth, here are some of the most commonly asked questions — and answers — you should know.

What are wisdom teeth?

Wisdom teeth are the set of four permanent adult teeth located at the back corners of your mouth on the top and bottom.

They are known as the third set of molars and most commonly emerge in a person’s late teens to early 20s and are considered to be the third set of molars.

Does everyone have wisdom teeth?

It may come as a surprise, but not everyone has a set of wisdom teeth. Many adults do, though, and according to one study, at least 53% of people aged 25 and older have at least one wisdom tooth.

Just because you cannot see this third set of molars doesn’t mean they aren’t there. Sometimes they haven’t erupted and are under the gums.

Why can wisdom teeth be problematic?

Because wisdom teeth are indeed the last to erupt, there is often not enough room for the wisdom teeth to grow in as they should.

When there is not sufficient space for wisdom teeth, they may become impacted — which means they are unable to fully break through the gum tissues and jawbone. Or they may grow in at an incorrect angle.

That said, wisdom teeth can create to a range of dental challenges and problems, including:

• Disturbance of the natural tooth alignment or orthodontic treatment
• Damage to the neighboring teeth
• Tooth decay
• Infection and inflammation in the gums and other tissues
• Formation of cysts
• Damage to the jawbone

When is wisdom teeth removal recommended?

Dentists perform a careful evaluation of your unique oral health profile, including the positioning on your teeth and wisdom teeth along with other factors, to determine if you’d benefit from wisdom teeth removal.

Not only will wisdom teeth removal keep your smile healthy and beautiful, but it can also help prevent any serious complications in the future.

One of the most common complications is a wisdom tooth infection, which is more prevalent in older adults. The infection causes tooth and jaw pain, tender and swollen gums, and other side effects and must be treated with antibiotics.

How long does wisdom teeth extraction take?

While the time of the surgery varies depending on the number of teeth being extracted, the procedure generally takes about 45 minutes to one hour.

Is the extraction painful?

The extraction itself is not painful, as you’ll generally receive either local anesthesia or IV sedation to both numb your mouth and make you drowsy. Many patients are asleep during the entire time of the procedure.

You’ll likely experience a little discomfort for a few days during the recovery process.

What is the recovery process like?

While mild pain is normal for a few days after the extraction of wisdom teeth, there are several ways you can alleviate the discomfort. Ice packs can help with any swelling. In addition, over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help with pain.

You’ll also want to prioritize soft foods like soup, pasta, rice, scrambled eggs, yogurt, and mashed potatoes in the first three to five days after the procedure.

Are there any potential complications to wisdom teeth extraction?

The removal of wisdom teeth is typically a straightforward procedure without many issues. That said, as with anything, there are some complications that can occur.

While mild bleeding and swelling are normal after the procedure, if it becomes excessive, you should call your dentist.

A dry socket is another complication that can cause serious pain. This happens when the blood clot over the extraction site doesn’t form properly, and the bone becomes exposed. Notify your dentist if you develop extreme pain that you think might be a dry socket, and they can evaluate and address the situation immediately.

Finally, nerve damage that causes numbness in the face or tongue is a risk but a very low one and dependent on the extent of the surgery to remove your wisdom teeth.

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At SMILE! Advanced Dental Center, we know every smile is unique, and your natural teeth belong right where they are. But when a wisdom tooth extraction is the best option for improving or maintaining oral health, our dentists use great care and skill — and wisdom! — when performing these extractions to ensure that your experience is as comfortable and painless as possible.

We will also provide you with detailed post-treatment care instructions so that you can properly take care of your smile as it heals.

Contact us to learn more.