Wisdom Teeth Removal

Hi,

I was just wondering...I still have my wisdom teeth in..(all four)...I don't know if I have enough room for them to grow in or not...they feel like they are about to pop through soon....I don't know how soon. If I just let them go, and not have surgery to remove them...what will happen? Would that be a bad idea? Advice, please...thank you.

-ksh09

[Jerome Tsang, DDS]

You need an x-ray to see which way its going.  How old are you?  If you're 18 or so, you can wait it out if they're coming in straight.  If they're going sideways, probably better to get it out now before it becomes a problem.

[ksh09]

Hi,

I'm 19 I will be 20 next month (Feb. 16th). I think they might be coming in straight but....I don't know. I can't see them. When you said it's probably better to get them out now before it becomes a problem...what do you mean by problem? If I let them grow naturally what is the worst that could happen?

-ksh09

[Jerome Tsang, DDS]

Depends on which way its growing.  I've seen wisdom teeth going sideways and start eating the roots of the tooth in front of it, in which case, you have to pull both the wisdom tooth and the tooth in front.  Or it can get infected and it swells up and spreads around.  You won't really know how it'll turn out until you see a dentist and get an x-ray to see which way they're going.  Once you find out, you can wait it out or you may need to get them out sooner.  

[ksh09]

Could I die if I just let them grow naturally????? And is infection all that common?????

[Jerome Tsang, DDS]

I don't know the statistics but it can happen depending on where teeth are and how close they are to being exposed and susceptible to the bacteria in the mouth.  You wouldn't die from letting them grow naturally.  You could have problems with them in the future though if they get infected and potentially die from it if its severe enough but its pretty rare.  I'm sure if they started to ache, you would take them out right away.

[ksh09]

Sometimes I feel lots of pressure....if I eat or talk a lot. They all feel so heavy. I feel if I were to have surgery it would be so my lighter in my mouth. Why do you think I am feeling all that pressure??? Also, I am soo scared to have surgery. I have never had 1 surgery in my whole life that I can remember. EVER....Doctors, needles, bright lights, gloves all of that scares me to death! If I think about it too much my heart begins to beat really really really fast and I feel like I am going to go into a panic...I don't want to have to have surgery is there any other options!?

[Jerome Tsang, DDS]

If you're nervous, you should get sedated and be asleep while they remove it.  The pressure feeling may be coming from the movement of the teeth.  Its normal to have some pain or discomfort from your wisdom teeth as they come out.  Try some over the counter pain medication such as Tylenol or Motrin (whatever you would take for headaches that's safe for you) and see if that helps.  I took my 4 wisdom teeth out with an oral surgeon and I was put asleep.  Didn't remember a thing.  

[ksh09]

Thanks for the advice. I don't feel so nervous about it now. I guess I am making everything a bigger deal than what it real is...

[Jerome Tsang, DDS]

Once you discuss your concerns with the oral surgeon, I'm sure you'll feel better.  They'll tell you specifically what's going on with your teeth.  

[ksh09]

I hope so...they give my eyes headaches...or eye aches I guess you could call it...but I feel a head ache too.