Your jaw was completely fine last week. Now there is this nagging ache right at the back, and your gum looks puffy. You brush it off, take a painkiller, and carry on. Two weeks later, it is back, this time worse.
Sound familiar? You are probably dealing with wisdom teeth.
A lot of Canadians go through this and have no idea what actually to do about it. Pull them? Leave them? Wait and see? At Red House Dental in Richmond Hill, we get these questions all the time. So here is a straight, no-fluff breakdown.
What Are Wisdom Teeth?
These are your third molars, the very last teeth to come through, right at the back corners of your mouth. Most people get four. They usually show up somewhere between 17 and 25, though some people see them later and some barely get them at all.
Centuries ago, these teeth had a genuine purpose. People were chewing rough, tough food constantly and needed the extra grinding power. Human jaws were also bigger than. These days, our jaws tend to be smaller, and our food is softer. So when wisdom teeth try to push through, the room often just isn’t there.
That is where everything goes sideways.
Signs That Something Is Wrong
Not every wisdom tooth causes drama. Some slide through cleanly, and nobody notices. But when they do not, your mouth is fairly vocal about it.
Watch out for:
- Ongoing ache or throb at the very back of your jaw
- Puffy, red gum around your back teeth
- Trouble opening your mouth properly, especially in the mornings
- A bad taste or smell near the back that keeps returning
- Headaches that seem to be coming from the jaw
- Teeth near the back are feeling pushed or crowded
- A tooth that has only half broken through the gum
One of those is reason enough to get it looked at. Several are together, and you really should not wait any longer.
What Does Impacted Mean?
“Impacted” means the tooth cannot push through properly because something is blocking it. Maybe another tooth is in the way, the angle is wrong, or there isn’t enough space in the jaw.
Left alone, impacted wisdom teeth tend to cause the following:
- Infection is building up in the surrounding gum
- A cyst forming near the tooth that quietly damages the jawbone
- Decay in the wisdom tooth or the molar sitting right beside it
- Pain and swelling that flare up, settle, then come back again
The frustrating part is that an impacted tooth does not always hurt straight away. Plenty of people find out purely through a routine X-ray. That is a solid reason to keep up with regular dental visits even when nothing feels wrong.
So, When Should They Actually Come Out?
Wisdom teeth removal tends to get recommended when:
- The tooth is impacted with no room to come through.
- A gum infection around a half-erupted tooth keeps returning
- Decay has set in, and the position makes it impossible to treat properly
- The tooth is pressing into and damaging the adjacent molar.
- A cyst is forming around the tooth.
- There is ongoing jaw pain or stiffness that is not settling.
Some dentists suggest removing wisdom teeth early before any problems develop, especially with younger patients. Roots are not fully formed at that age, and the whole process tends to go more smoothly. Your dentist would look at your own X-rays before making any call.
What Happens During Wisdom Teeth Removal?
Wisdom tooth removal is one of the more routine procedures a dental clinic performs. Simpler cases can be performed right in the chair under local anesthesia. You are numb but awake. More complex situations, such as a deeply buried tooth, may be referred to an oral surgeon.
Generally speaking:
- The area gets numbed with local anesthetic
- A small opening is made in the gum if the tooth is still under it.
- The tooth gets loosened and lifted out, sometimes in pieces, depending on the position
- The site gets cleaned and stitched if needed
- Gauze is applied to manage initial bleeding.
The majority of appointments take 20 minutes-an hour, depending on the number of teeth and their inaccessibility.
Wisdom Teeth Removal Cost in Canada
Wisdom teeth removal cost is usually the first question people ask, and fair enough.
In Canada, the cost of wisdom tooth removal is not fixed. A simple extraction, where the tooth has already broken through, costs less than a surgical one, where the tooth is still buried under the gum. The complexity of the case, the anesthetic used, and the clinic location all play into it.
Most dental insurance plans cover at least part of the wisdom teeth removal cost, so dig into your plan before your appointment. At Red House Dental, we accept the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP), which can reduce out-of-pocket costs for eligible patients. We also walk you through pricing before anything starts. No guessing, no surprises.
Wisdom Teeth Removal Recovery
Wisdom teeth removal recovery is what makes most people nervous. The first couple of days are the roughest, but most people get through them fine.
A rough idea of what wisdom teeth removal recovery looks like:
- Days one and two: swelling, soreness, and some bleeding are all normal. Rest up and keep your head elevated.
- Days three and four: Swelling tends to peak around day three, then starts easing off.
- Days five to seven: most people feel noticeably better through here.
- Full gum healing takes a few more weeks, even after you feel back to normal.
To recover from wisdom teeth removal without running into trouble:
- Eat soft things for the first few days, like soup, yogurt, and mashed potatoes.
- Skip straws completely since the suction disturbs the healing clot
- Avoid smoking during recovery, as it slows healing considerably
- Rinse gently with warm salt water after eating once your dentist gives the go-ahead.
- Rest properly and follow your dentist’s advice for pain relief.
Watch out for dry socket. It happens when the clot over the extraction site dislodges before things heal. It is quite painful. If you think that is what is happening, call your dentist the same day.
Why Red House Dental
Red House Dental is in Richmond Hill, Ontario, and wisdom teeth removal is something the team here handles regularly.
Emergency spots get kept open when possible. Then, in case your wisdom teeth are being really painful at the moment, there is no need to wait weeks to get an appointment.
The team clarifies everything before anything transpires. What the process entails, what the recovery after wisdom teeth removal would look like in your particular situation and what the cost would be before you sign anything.
The clinic is a participant in the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP). The staff members are Dr. Ria Pudjo, Dr. Kavita Gupta, Dr. Sandeep Tayal, and Dr. Susie Ang, who have worked in numerous cases related to dental care.
38 Arnold Crescent, Richmond Hill, ON. Call +1 (905) 883-4643. We are available throughout the week; Monday to Friday, 8 am to 6 pm and Saturdays, 9 am to 3 pm. Free parking outside.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do wisdom teeth always need to come out?
No. If they come through cleanly, cause no pain, and can be properly cleaned, they may be completely fine to leave. An X-ray at your next checkup will give you a clear answer.
What age is wisdom teeth removal most common?
Late teens and early twenties is the typical window. Roots are not yet fully developed and wisdom teeth removal recovery tends to go smoother at that age. That said, people have them out later in life too when issues come up.
How long does recover wisdom teeth removal take?
Most people feel fine within a week. Full gum healing takes a few weeks beyond that. To recover wisdom teeth removal well, follow your dentist’s aftercare instructions closely and do not rush back to normal eating too quickly.
Does the procedure hurt?
The area is fully numbed so you should not feel pain during it. Soreness and swelling after is expected and manageable. Your dentist will tell you exactly what to take and what wisdom teeth removal recovery looks like before you leave the chair.
What drives wisdom teeth removal cost up?
Wisdom teeth removal cost depends on how many teeth, whether they are impacted, and what anaesthetic is needed. Insurance or CDCP coverage can offset a portion of it. Red House Dental goes through the numbers with you clearly before any treatment begins.
