Wisdom teeth or third molars are the last teeth to appear, usually at the end of adolescence. Many people have them free of infection and correctly aligned. The latter experience no problems, while others suffer pain and discomfort that can affect their quality of life and their removal becomes advisable.

In this article, we’ll talk about what wisdom teeth are, how they affect you and answer some frequently asked questions.

What are wisdom teeth?

Wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, are the back teeth in the back of the mouth. They often erupt between the ages of 17 and 25, although they may also appear later or not at all. Some people have four wisdom teeth, one in each corner of the mouth, while others may have fewer.

How do wisdom teeth affect us?

Although some people will never experience problems with their wisdom teeth, many do. Some common symptoms associated with wisdom teeth include pain, swelling and tenderness in the gums and jaw. They can also cause headaches, bite problems and tooth decay in adjacent teeth.

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In addition, wisdom teeth can cause other problems if not properly treated. For example, if wisdom teeth do not have enough space to erupt, they can grow into adjacent teeth and cause damage to the roots of the teeth. They can also cause serious infections, cysts and tumors.

Main causes of discomfort in wisdom teeth:

There are several causes that can lead to problems with wisdom teeth and require their extraction to solve the situation:

Some of them are:

Lack of space is one of the most common problems and can cause the tooth to push the teeth next to it, causing crowding.
When wisdom teeth grow partially and the gum tissue grows over the tooth, facilitating the accumulation of food debris and bacteria in the gum flap.
When the third molars are neither in the correct position nor in the correct direction.
The cleaning of wisdom teeth is a little more complicated, which facilitates the appearance of cavities and other types of infections.

When should wisdom teeth be extracted?

Wisdom tooth removal is a decision to be made by your dentist or oral surgeon based on your individual situation.

In some cases, wisdom teeth can be left intact if they are not causing problems. However, if you experience pain or discomfort, you may want to consider extraction.

Removal of wisdom teeth is also recommended if there is evidence that they are causing damage to adjacent teeth or if they are causing problems with the bite. In addition, if you have a history of tooth infections or have a compromised immune system, your dentist or oral surgeon may recommend wisdom tooth removal as a preventive measure.

We recommend the extraction of third molars or ‘wisdom teeth’ when they appear misaligned in the jaws and pose a risk to the well-being of the healthy molars next to them.

On many occasions, wisdom teeth appear horizontal with respect to the correct eruption plane and impacted on the second molars, increasing the risk that these may suffer from caries in areas that are difficult to restore and we may also have to extract them.

It also frequently happens that the eruption pathway is correct, but the jaws are too small to accommodate them.

When this happens, they either do not appear in the mouth, or they remain halfway out, leaving the gum on top of them like the visor of a cap. As we have seen before, this causes a lot of food, bacterial plaque and dirt to accumulate between the gum and the tooth, increasing the risk of caries, serious infections, pain, inflammation of the cheek, the appearance of pus and halitosis, among other symptoms.

Muelas del juicio retenidas en distintas posiciones

Retained wisdom teeth in different positions

Wisdom tooth pain is one of the most intense pains, next to phlegmons, that we can experience. The most advisable thing to do in case of discomfort or pain caused by wisdom teeth is to visit your dentist, but we can use some remedies to treat the inflammation in the meantime.

How to reduce inflammation of the wisdom tooth gum?

Apply heat or cold (whichever feels better) to the area of the cheek where the wisdom tooth is inflamed to soothe the pain and reduce swelling.
Do warm water rinses with salt. A good cup of warm water and a tablespoon of salt.
Take analgesics such as Paracetamol that can help us to mitigate the pain produced by wisdom teeth. Although no prescription is required, we recommend reading the package insert.
Some anti-inflammatory drugs such as Ibuprofen are a recommended solution to alleviate discomfort by reducing inflammation. Like analgesics, these drugs do not require a prescription, so it is advisable to read the package insert carefully.
Brush your teeth at least three times a day, after every meal and very important brushing before going to sleep. Emphasize the posterior area of the wisdom teeth.
See your dentist for an evaluation of your teeth to determine the most appropriate treatment for your toothache and to determine a treatment plan for your toothache, taking into account your medical history.

How is wisdom teeth extraction performed?

Wisdom tooth extraction is a surgical procedure performed in a dental office or hospital. Before the extraction, your dentist or oral surgeon, after treating the infection if necessary, will administer local anesthesia, conscious sedation or general anesthesia (in case of extraction of 4 molars or complex interventions) so that you do not feel pain during the procedure.

If the wisdom teeth have erupted completely through the gum, the degree of difficulty will be less than if they are under the gum and completely submerged within the maxillary bone.

Once you are anesthetized, your dentist or oral surgeon will make an incision in the gums to access the wisdom tooth. He then cuts the connective tissues attached to the wisdom tooth and removes it. In some cases, it may be necessary to cut the wisdom tooth into smaller pieces in order to remove it.

After the extraction, place a gauze pad on the extraction site to help stop bleeding and give you instructions on how to care for the extraction site at home.

The recovery time will depend a lot on the degree of difficulty of the operation, but it is normal that the first three days after the intervention the face is somewhat swollen and some bruising appears in the area of the face or neck near the extracted tooth.

It is normal to experience some swelling and pain after the extraction, but these symptoms can be controlled with painkillers prescribed by your dentist or oral surgeon.

Care after wisdom tooth extraction

It is important that you follow the advice and care that your dentist gives you after having a wisdom tooth removed.

If you feel discomfort and pain, you can take an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Follow the instructions on the patient information leaflet that comes with the medicine, and if you have questions, consult the pharmacist.

Do not take aspirin, as this can make the bleeding worse.

After meals, you can gently rinse with warm water with half a teaspoon of salt. Be careful not to rinse vigorously during the first 24 hours. as this can disrupt the blood clots that aid the healing process.

You should brush your teeth as usual, but for the first two days do not brush the wound.

At first, after tooth extraction, you may feel small bone fragments with your tongue. These are the edges of the dental alveolus that will disappear as soon as the gingiva heals.

After wisdom teeth removal you should eat soft foods and gradually return to your usual diet once your jaw feels less stiff.

If the gums bleed, fold a clean tissue or gauze, place it where the gum bleeds and bite down for at least 10 to 15 minutes. Do not rinse your mouth or lie down until the bleeding has stopped.

Most people do not have any problems after wisdom teeth removal. However, consult your dentist or general practitioner immediately if any of these symptoms appear:

bleeding that does not stop after pressure is applied or that lasts longer than half an hour
difficulty in breathing or swallowing
severe pain that is not relieved by analgesics
fever
swelling that lasts for more than three days after surgery

Main complications that may occur after wisdom tooth extraction

Although wisdom tooth removal is a common and relatively safe procedure, there are some complications that may arise after the procedure. The following is a list and description of some of the major complications that can occur after wisdom teeth removal in an individual:

Pain and swelling: After wisdom tooth extraction, it is normal to experience pain and swelling in the area of the extraction. This may last for several days and can be relieved with analgesics prescribed by the dentist or oral surgeon.
Bleeding: It is normal to experience some bleeding after wisdom tooth extraction. Gauze will be placed on the extraction site to help stop the bleeding, but if bleeding continues for more than 24 hours, the dentist or oral surgeon should be contacted.
Infection: After the extraction of wisdom teeth, there is a risk of infection at the extraction site. To prevent this, the dentist’s or oral surgeon’s instructions on how to care for the extraction site at home should be followed carefully.
Jaw problems: Rarely, wisdom tooth removal can cause problems with the jaw, such as pain, swelling and difficulty opening and closing the mouth.
Damage to adjacent teeth: During wisdom tooth removal, accidental damage to adjacent teeth may occur. If this happens, the dentist or oral surgeon should be contacted immediately so that they can assess and treat any damage.
Severe pain caused by dry socket: this occurs when the clot breaks away from the wound, exposing bone and nerves, causing pain and delaying healing.
Numbness of the lower lip or tongue, or changes in the sense of taste: this may be caused by damage to the lingual and lower dental nerves and is unlikely to be permanent.
Jaw stiffness – may not be able to fully open the mouth

It is important to note that most complications after wisdom tooth removal are rare and can be successfully treated by the dentist or oral surgeon. If you experience any problems after wisdom teeth removal, you should immediately contact your dentist or oral surgeon for advice and treatment.

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Frequently asked questions about wisdom teeth

Why do some people not have wisdom teeth?

Some people do not have wisdom teeth due to human evolution. As humans have adapted to a softer diet, wisdom teeth are no longer necessary.

How do I know if my wisdom teeth are causing problems?

If you experience pain, swelling or tenderness in your gums and jaw, your wisdom teeth may be causing problems. It may also be a good idea to talk to your dentist if you experience problems with your bite or tooth decay in adjacent teeth.

What are the benefits of having wisdom teeth removed?

Removing wisdom teeth eliminates the risk of the tooth developing cysts or causing resorption of the roots of the neighboring tooth.. Included teeth, such as wisdom teeth, can lead to cysts and resorption of teeth that are in the mouth.

How long is the recovery time after wisdom teeth removal?

Recovery time after wisdom teeth removal can vary from person to person, but usually takes a few days. During this time, you may experience swelling, pain and discomfort in your mouth.

Don’t suffer anymore for your wisdom teeth!

In short, wisdom teeth or third molars in the back of the mouth that appear in some people and can cause pain and discomfort if they do not have enough space to erupt or erupt incorrectly, so their extraction is necessary.

Wisdom tooth extraction is a surgical procedure performed in a dental office or hospital and should only be performed by a dentist or oral surgeon. This intervention can be more or less complex depending on the number of molars and their position. In general, it is a simple process that does not generate major complications and has a fairly rapid postoperative period.

The best advice we can give you is that if you are experiencing problems with your wisdom teeth, talk to your trusted dentist about your treatment options.

If you have more questions about both types of implants, at Raslan Dental Clinic, your dental clinic in Barcelona, we will solve all your doubts. Remember that the first visit is without obligation. You can contact us at +34 937 656 788 or

+34 669 154 020 and one of our specialists in Oral Implantology Barcelona and Oral Rehabilitation Barcelona will answer any questions you may have.

You can find us in our dental clinic in Sarria – Sant Gervasi or in our dental clinic in Eixample.

What are wisdom teeth and what to do when they erupt