Wisdom teeth might sound like something to celebrate; after all, they’re called wisdom teeth, right? But these late-erupting molars often bring up a lot of questions. At Kits Family Dental, our Kitsilano dentists are here with answers.
From the first signs of wisdom teeth coming in to when (and why) they might need to be removed, here’s everything you need to know.
Why Are They Called “Wisdom” Teeth?
While the rest of the permanent teeth erupt by age 13 or so, the third molars don’t usually come in until between the ages of 17 and 25. Because we’re supposedly older and wiser at this point, the third molars were nicknamed “wisdom teeth.”
Why Do We Have Wisdom Teeth?
Anthropologists believe that wisdom teeth are an evolutionary relic leftover from when early humans ate diets full of crunchy, tough foods that required a lot of chewing. Over time, as we began eating softer foods, our jaws shrank. Our smaller, modern-day jaws often don’t have enough space for the wisdom teeth to erupt properly, or at all.¹
What are the First Signs of Wisdom Teeth Coming in?
Wondering if your wisdom teeth are getting ready to make their debut? Here are some early signs to look out for:
- Tenderness or swelling at the back of your jaw
- Achy or stiff jaw
- Gum irritation or redness near the molars
- Headaches or earaches
- Trouble opening your mouth fully
Sometimes, wisdom teeth erupt without much fanfare. Other times, they become impacted (trapped under the gums or jawbone), which can result in pain, infection, and other dental issues.
Do Wisdom Teeth Always Need to Be Removed?
No! If your wisdom teeth:
- Fully erupt
- Are positioned properly
- Can be easily cleaned
- Don’t crowd nearby teeth
…you might be one of the lucky ones who can keep them. There are benefits to keeping wisdom teeth if they’re healthy, such as getting a bit of extra chewing power and avoiding the cost and recovery of oral surgery.
While prophylactic removal of asymptomatic wisdom teeth used to be the norm, research, including a paper published in the Journal of the Canadian Dental Association, has shown the approach isn’t necessary for everyone. As the author notes, “Accurately weighing the risks of retention versus removal is at the crux of the decision to extract.”²
At Kits Family Dental, we do just that by taking a personalized approach and only recommending dentist removal of wisdom teeth if there’s a clear benefit to your health.
When Should Wisdom Teeth be Removed?
Your dentist may recommend wisdom teeth extraction if:
- The teeth are partially or fully impacted
- They’re causing crowding or alignment issues
- You’re experiencing pain, swelling, or infection
- You develop a cyst near the tooth
- The teeth are too far back to be cleaned properly
Removing problematic wisdom teeth can preserve your oral health, prevent damage to neighbouring teeth, and keep your smile in tip-top shape.
Can Wisdom Teeth Cause Headaches?
Yes, they can. Impacted or misaligned wisdom teeth may put pressure on surrounding nerves and muscles, leading to tension headaches or jaw pain. If you’re dealing with chronic headaches and haven’t had your wisdom teeth evaluated, it might be time for a checkup.
Wisdom Teeth Removal Recovery Tips
So, you’ve had your wisdom teeth removed; now what? When patients visit us for wisdom teeth removal in Vancouver, we provide detailed post-operative instructions. While the specifics will depend on your specific case, here are some general tips to ensure a smooth recovery:
- Avoid smoking and sipping drinks from straws for the first week after wisdom teeth surgery. Both can interfere with healing and lead to a painful condition called dry socket.
- Stick with liquids and very soft foods that don’t require chewing for 24 hours post-procedure. Usually by the second or third day, if you feel ready, you can transition to firmer foods like soft vegetables, soft-cooked meat, and pasta.
- Apply cold compresses to your face during the first 24 hours to ease swelling.
- Take prescribed or over-the-counter pain meds as directed. If you were prescribed an antibiotic, take that as well.
- Rinse with salt water 24 hours post-op to keep the area clean. If we give you syringes to irrigate the sockets after meals, use those as directed.
Recovery time depends on the person and the complexity of the extraction. Most people feel back to normal within a week, though wisdom teeth removal recovery for impacted teeth can take longer.
How to Sleep After Wisdom Teeth Removal
When sleeping after wisdom teeth removal, avoid lying flat. Instead, prop your head up with pillows to help minimize swelling.
What’s the Best Food to Eat After Wisdom Teeth Removal?
As we said, the ideal food to eat after wisdom teeth removal is anything liquid or extremely soft that you don’t need to chew. For the first 24 hours, great options include:
- Broth
- Juice
- Milkshakes
- Protein shakes
- Smoothies
- Pureed soup
- Yogurt
- Applesauce
- Smooth mashed potatoes
What about pineapple for wisdom teeth? A 2024 clinical study found that bromelain, an enzyme in pineapple, helped reduce swelling and pain after third molar removal.³ Though the researchers used pineapple extract and a purified form of bromelain in the study, some patients swear by sipping pineapple juice before and after wisdom teeth surgery.
Will Wisdom Teeth Grow Back?
This one’s easy: No, wisdom teeth don’t grow back once they’re removed. In rare cases, a person may have extra molars known as “supernumerary teeth,” but this is uncommon.
How Do I Find Wisdom Teeth Extraction Near Me?
Whether you need a second opinion, a wisdom tooth is infected, or you’re experiencing pain, the team at Kits Family Dental is here to help. We’ve been performing wisdom teeth removal in Vancouver, BC for over two decades and offer gentle, effective care using modern techniques to keep your procedure as comfortable and stress-free as possible.
If you’re not in the Vancouver area, ask your general dentist about wisdom teeth removal. They may perform it in-office or, depending on your case, refer you to an oral surgeon.
Ready to Chat About Your Wisdom Teeth?
Book an appointment with a Kitsilano dentist today and let’s find out if your wisdom teeth should stay or go. We’ll evaluate your situation, answer your questions, and guide you through your options.
Sources:
- Why we have so many problems with our wisdom teeth. CBC. November 26, 2001.https://www.cbc.ca/documentaries/the-nature-of-things/why-we-have-so-many-problems-with-our-wisdom-teeth-1.6264178
- Boughner, Julie C. Maintaining perspective on third molar extraction. J Can Dent Assoc 2013;79:d106. https://jcda.ca/article/d106
- Colletti A, Procchio C, Pisano M, Martelli A, Pellizzato M, Cravotto G. An evaluation of the effects of pineapple-extract and bromelain-based treatment after mandibular third molar surgery: A randomized three-arm clinical study. Nutrients. 2024;16(6):784. Published 2024 Mar 9. doi:10.3390/nu16060784. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38542694/
