Your Guide to Wisdom Teeth

What is a Wisdom Tooth?

Wisdom teeth are an extra set of molars that usually erupt when you’re a teenager. Unfortunately, most people don’t have enough space in their arch for these new teeth, leading to a range of potential issues. When a wisdom tooth fails to erupt properly in your gumline, it’s described as impacted.

Impacted wisdom teeth can occur for several reasons, including lack of available space in the jaw and obstruction from surrounding teeth. Without treatment, they can lead to changes in your bite alignment, oral infections, and other complications. That’s why Dr. Chaudhry offers safe and comfortable wisdom tooth removal at our office in Lehigh Valley. Explore our wisdom teeth guide below.

Symptoms of Impacted Wisdom Teeth

Common symptoms of impacted wisdom teeth include:

• Bad breath
• Difficulty opening your mouth
• Pain or tenderness in your gums and jawbone
• Headaches and jaw aches
• Swelling and bleeding in your gums
• Swelling of the lymph nodes in your neck
• Unpleasant taste in your mouth

If you experience any of the symptoms listed above, call our office as soon as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I be able to drive myself home after surgery?

This depends on the type of anesthetic and sedation used for your procedure. If you’re only given local anesthetic, then you’ll be ready to drive yourself home after treatment. However, if you receive a general anesthetic or IV sedation, then you’ll need to arrange for a ride.

Can I eat before my surgery? What about after?

If you’re undergoing sedation or general anesthetic, you’ll need to avoid eating or drinking anything for six hours before your surgery. Otherwise, you can eat and drink without restrictions.

Does everyone need to have their wisdom teeth removed?

No — though it’s rare, some patients have enough jaw space for their wisdom teeth to erupt without causing any issues.

How do I know if my wisdom teeth will come in correctly?

Unfortunately, you won’t know if your wisdom teeth will be able to grow in properly until they start erupting, at which point they become harder to remove. For this reason, Dr. Chaudhry will often recommend removing your wisdom teeth before they erupt.

Ask Dr. Chaudhry About Your Wisdom Teeth

If you haven’t had your wisdom teeth removed, it’s crucial to get them examined by Dr. Chaudhry to find out if they’re impacted. If he determines that your wisdom teeth will lead to oral health issues, he can gently remove them and eliminate the problem before it begins.

Call one of our two locations in the Lehigh Valley area and schedule a consultation with Dr. Chaudhry today.