If you’re planning on getting braces but have wisdom teeth, or wisdom tooth pain you may want to talk with your orthodontist before getting braces. Depending on your situation, your orthodontist may refer you to an oral surgeon to have your wisdom teeth removed before getting fitted for your braces in Idaho Falls.
However, in some cases, people have their braces before their wisdom teeth emerge and have to deal with them later in life. If you have wisdom teeth that weren’t removed and are dealing with the pain of impacted wisdom teeth, it’s best to discuss your options with your Idaho Falls orthodontist.
Read on to learn more about what you can do for wisdom tooth pain and how your orthodontist can help get you to the right oral surgeon that will pull your wisdom teeth for you. First, let’s take a look at what wisdom teeth are and why they need to be removed.
What Are Wisdom Teeth?
Wisdom teeth, which are also known as third molars, are teeth that grow near the back of the jaw. Many people will have all four wisdom teeth (one on each side of the jaw on the upper and lower bites), but some fortunate people may only get one or two, or none at all! Whatever the case is, third molars don’t serve any real purpose and can actually cause more harm than good in some cases, but that doesn’t mean they always need to be removed.
Here are some reasons that your wisdom teeth may need to be removed:
- Excessive tooth decay
- Damage to nearby teeth caused by crowded molars
- Various forms of gum disease are experienced
- Fluid-filled cysts or sacks, as well as tumors, have been detected
- Constant, chronic or persistent pain
- Headaches and/or earaches
- Bad breath
- Soft tissue located behind wisdom teeth repeatedly becomes infected
Interestingly, most wisdom teeth do not need to be removed in case shifting occurs. Either way, if your wisdom teeth are making you uncomfortable, are impacted, or are difficult to reach with a toothbrush or floss it’s best to get them removed as soon as possible. Many people will also opt to have their wisdom teeth removed before getting braces, so that they can get all serious dental work done around the same time. Talk to your Idaho Falls orthodontist about which option is best for you.
What To Do About Wisdom Tooth Pain
Many people that have wisdom teeth and don’t get them removed early enough, unfortunately, experience wisdom tooth pain. There are some things you can do at home to alleviate wisdom tooth pain, but it is critical that you speak with your orthodontist about getting them removed as soon as you can. There’s no reason to live with wisdom teeth pain for any length of time.
First, you’ll want to identify if you have an infection near your erupted wisdom tooth. According to this article, you may notice that your left or right jaw is completely swollen and irritated. If the pain intensifies within the hour, followed by blurry vision and a headache, you may have an infection. If an infection is present, notify your Idaho Falls immediately.
If you just notice pain, discomfort, and mild swelling, you probably don’t have an emergency on your hands, but it’s still best to relieve the pain as much as possible. Eating cold food like a popsicle or ice cream or sipping on cold water can help to ease any discomfort you may be experiencing. Additionally, you may want to consider taking an over-the-counter pain medication to reduce the pain and swelling.
In both situations, you’ll want to let your orthodontist know what is happening with your wisdom teeth.
If you have been experiencing wisdom teeth pain, but are considering getting braces. Or if you are a parent seeking to get braces for your child but want to see if a wisdom tooth extraction should be done before being fitted for braces, we invite you to contact our Idaho Falls orthodontic office to schedule a consultation at Randall Orthodontics today.