WISDOM TEETH FAQs
Q: What are wisdom teeth?
A: The last molars to come in at the back of the mouth are called wisdom teeth or third molars.
- Q: When do wisdom teeth come in?
A: It depends. For most people, wisdom teeth erupt when they are between 17 and 25 years old, but they can come in much later. Some teens get their wisdom teeth as young as 14 years old.
- Q: Does everyone have third molars?
A: Not always. While most people have four wisdom teeth, having one, two, three, or none is also normal.
- Q: How will I know when my wisdom teeth come in?
A: You may have no symptoms other than discovering an additional tooth or teeth in the back of the mouth. However, many individuals develop symptoms when their wisdom teeth emerge, including toothaches, headaches, jaw pain, swollen and tender gums, or in severe cases, infection.
- Q: Why should my wisdom teeth be removed?
A: Because the chance is high that your wisdom teeth will cause problems when they emerge. They may become impacted or push your other teeth out of alignment. If a wisdom tooth comes in partially, it can become a breeding ground for bacteria and difficult to clean. Infection, pain, and damaged teeth are often the result. Proactively removing your wisdom teeth before they erupt prevents painful issues that are difficult to treat.
- Q: What are impacted wisdom teeth?
A: If there is not enough room in the back of the mouth for your wisdom teeth to fully erupt, they are referred to as impacted. You can learn more about them and the damage they can cause on our page about impacted wisdom teeth.
- Q: What are the symptoms of impacted wisdom teeth?
A: Pain when chewing
Difficulty opening the mouth fully
Discharge or bleeding in the back of the mouth
Recurring earaches or headaches
Painful cheek or jaw
Swelling of the gums or cheek
Chronic bad breath
- Q: Will I be asleep during wisdom teeth removal?
A: Yes, we use IV sedation for most wisdom teeth removal surgery. An IV line in your arm or hand is used to deliver general anesthesia. A local anesthetic is also applied to the surgical site to eliminate pain. You will not remember anything about the procedure when the sedative wears off.
- Q: How long does it take to recover from wisdom teeth removal?
A: For the first few days, rest at home. Relaxing on the couch, playing video games, or binge-watching television are great options. You can return to work or school when you feel up to it and should fully recover within 7 to 10 days.
- Q: Is wisdom teeth removal covered by insurance?
A: Most dental insurance covers all or part of wisdom teeth removal surgery if the teeth are impacted. The final costs depend on several factors, including how many teeth are extracted, their location, and the complexity of removal. We review all costs with our patients. For more manageable payment, we accept most major credit cards and CareCredit.
- Q: My face and mouth still hurt. Should I be worried?
A: It is normal to experience some pain and swelling for about three days after wisdom teeth are removed. These can be controlled with over-the-counter pain relievers and ice packs. If the pain is more severe after three days and continues to get worse, contact our office. Always call our office if you have a fever lasting more than 24 hours after wisdom teeth removal.
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