What will you be doing over the Easter break? >>

Should I Get My Wisdom Teeth Removed?

Recently over the last couple of months I have been beginning to grow some wisdom teeth at the back of my mouth. They're not painful (yet), but I feel as if they are impacting on the rest of my teeth (and my jaw).

My lower teeth are still straight but they're out of line (my lower two teeth aren't in line with my front upper two teeth if you like), which wasn't the case, say, 3-4 months ago.

In addition I can feel my jaw ache slightly (no pain or anything) and I also feel like jaw line has changed a bit (seems wider, more muscular for whatever reason).

They're beginning to bug me, and I'm wondering whether now I should have them removed.

The only thing is I have just been to the dentist only 2 weeks ago and she said everything was fine. Although having said that I didn't mention anything to her about my wisdom teeth back then (just one of those routine 6 month check ups where they clean your teeth and all that).

I'm not sure now whether or not to wait another 6 months (will have to wait until the end of november for my next appointment) or call for one over the summer and get it checked out, as I'm worried the fact that lower my teeth are now are getting "squashed" a bit and that jaw looks like it's swollen like a balloon.

My wisdom teeth are upright correctly facing in the right direction, just that they're annoying me (slightly). Any suggestions?

Reply 1

noodles!

Apparently it's quite painful to have them removed. I'm not going to bother unless the dentist demands it.

But surely the dentist's word is final anyway?

Reply 2

dh00001

if youre concerned go back and see your dentist

Reply 3

tbm

Your dentist will only take them out if they feel its completely necessary, if youre not having any pain/swelling then they'll be less reluctant to take them out

Reply 4

Sharpshooter

I'm mentioned the fact that my jaw felt like it had swollen a bit, she wasn't sure what I was on about at first but then eventually she said "it could be something to do with your wisdom teeth".

See the thing is my wisdom teeth haven't fully come out yet (most of it is still under the skin) so it could just be a reactionary thing as well.

But I don't want to leave it too late incase my lower teeth become even more crooked (they're already out of line). I wait a couple of months I think and see if it's gotten any worse.

Reply 5

joz12345

go back to the dentist by all means and discuss them with the dentist but dentists do tend to just take them out if they are causing problems, if the dentist had thought there was a problem with crowding etc because of them the dentist would have said . also if the dentist thinks they are going to be a problem when they come fully threw or they are very painful or swelling happens then you can be refered and get the gum cut open and the teeth removed but i dont think the dentist would refer you if they werent causing problems

Reply 6

heppelstone16

ah, i hate going to the dentist, my wisdom teeth are coming through sometimes hurt really bad, other times they dont.

Reply 7

hope78945

i rember when my wisdom tooth started growing..it hurt so much my left side of my face started swelling up..because dentist gave me wrong antibiotics..and recently it started happening to my right side..im probably going to get it done after my exams finished, if the pain worsens..but my dentist was telling me its a straight forward operation
anyways you dont want to hear all that..go to dentist if you hav any more pains before it gets worser

Reply 8

suek

I had mine out preventatively. I'm incredibly glad I did, let me tell you! I have enough issues as it is - repeated root canals etc, and it was never an issue really to have them out. My dentist suggested I have them out so that they didn't cause me any problems. I mean, it's not like I need anymore teeth :biggrin:

The horror stories you hear about it being a really painful procedure are a) all rubbish or b ) generally linked to the procedure being done in a hospital by doctors rather than dentists.

My dentist at least... I had no problems. Sure, it's a bit of discomfort for a couple of days, but it completely saved me the potential agony. For most people, there just isn't enough room in your mouth for your wisdom teeth, so they will push against others and grow at wrong angles.. ick ick ick.

I also had mine out before I turned 18 which means it was free :P A lot cheaper than getting corrective surgery later for the pain they can cause!

I only had 3 out though, as I had a number 7 tooth removed earlier. So I do have a little wisdom :> This one grew through fiiiine as it obviously had plenty of space.

Reply 9

Angel_Cake

suek

I also had mine out before I turned 18 which means it was free :P A lot cheaper than getting corrective surgery later for the pain they can cause!

Isn't it always free? I'm currently on the NHS waiting list and will be getting them out in a few months. I can't wait, they cause so many problems. Right now I'm having problems eating because I have an infection AGAIN and the inside of my mouth and my cheek is all swollen AGAIN... :rolleyes:

Reply 10

tinkerbellejess

The dentist will tell you if you need them out or not.

Reply 11

Cromulent

namakemono

Apparently it's quite painful to have them removed. I'm not going to bother unless the dentist demands it.

But surely the dentist's word is final anyway?

It is not painful at all :smile:

Reply 12

nursing_sue

suek

The horror stories you hear about it being a really painful procedure are a) all rubbish or b ) generally linked to the procedure being done in a hospital by doctors rather than dentists.

I had one of my wisdom teeth out in hospital, and that was fine. I could talk, eat and everything pretty much straight away.

But when I had two out at the dentists, that was horrific. It hurt lots, and they tried to make me go home before I was ready. At the hospital, they made me stay sitting down for a while and then to walk around to check that I wasn't going to faint even though I felt fine.

If I had to do it again (and I might, as I've only had 3 wisdom teeth grow so far) I'd pick the hospital. I'd rather stick with the pain and inconvenience of keeping them that have to go through it again at the dentist.

Reply 13

suek

Well, in general, people seem to have more pain at the hospital but it depends on the dental practise :smile:

And, even on the NHS, not all dental treatment is free I think! Just cheaper. My practise is private now but my parents always had to pay things when it was NHS...

Reply 14

Angel_Cake

suek

Well, in general, people seem to have more pain at the hospital but it depends on the dental practise :smile:

And, even on the NHS, not all dental treatment is free I think! Just cheaper. My practise is private now but my parents always had to pay things when it was NHS...

Well...I'm sure I'm not paying anything to get my wisdom teeth out, and I'm 21. Maybe I'm just lucky.

Reply 15

Danielle89

My Mum had one of hers taken out but it wasnt a simple procedure at all. She had it done just at her normal dentist and they had to take it out bit by bit! She was in agony and couldnt eat or talk for 24 hours at least.

It depends on the situation I suppose but horror stories as people put it, do happen...

Reply 16

Sharpshooter

What concerns me most guys is that my face seems to have gotten fatter for some reason, like more muscular around the jaw. It's not painful, but I'm not sure why that is and I'm thinking it's probably related. (I hate the way I look at the moment)

I want to go and get another appointment but bare in mind I only had an appointment (albeit a checkup) two weeks ago and I don't want to start becoming an irritant to them.

Reply 17

suek

Well...I'm sure I'm not paying anything to get my wisdom teeth out, and I'm 21. Maybe I'm just lucky.

Or a student? :wink:

It depends on the situation I suppose but horror stories as people put it, do happen...

Mm it's things like that which promote the idea of getting them out BEFORE they have the chance to get anywhere near trouble :biggrin:

And Sharpshooter - dentists are there to help you. If you have concerns, talk to them about it!

Reply 18

Clubber Lang

go for an x ray immediatley - they can tell if it wil lcause you problems - if it comeso ut wrong it can cause decay in other teeth as wel lad PAIN!

Its free if you have it done in a hospital regardless of age but the wait can easily be a year or more. (you can also pay to have to taken out privatley at your dentist but my dentist said he wanted to leave mine to specialists as oen of my nerves in my cheek was too close and could have been damaged.)

from when i was apppointed to have it taken out and to when i had it taken out the x rays were completley different as both my wisdom teeth had moved - my etire process took liek 18 months! )Thho i missed an appt which set me back by 6months!)

Reply 19

username94219

Mine use to be quite painful to the point when I sometimes couldn't eat my dinner. Mine have now stopped growing but do now have them regulary xray'ed - watchin out for tooth decay or possibly impact on other teeth. I think your dentist will say if they need removing or not - im not sure.