Why Does My Jaw Ache When I Wake Up?
Waking up with jaw pain signals that something isn’t right. Use this guide as a first step to figuring out what’s happening while you sleep to cause your pain — and find ways to alleviate it.
It’s a common misconception that all wisdom teeth need to be removed. But the truth is, some people’s oral health is perfectly fine if these extra sets of molars. But it all comes down to the individual’s unique jaw and the way those additional teeth emerge.
Here at Advanced Dental Care of East Texas in Jasper, Texas, Eric R. Koch, DDS, and our team regularly evaluate each patient during their biannual dental exams. That means that if you visit us periodically, we can determine if the wisdom teeth will be a problem or if we can leave them be. Plus, if Dr. Koch determines that they could present an issue, he can apply his specialization in wisdom tooth extraction to remove them.
Usually, the third set of molars — the wisdom teeth — emerge during the late teens or early-to-mid-20s.
In some cases, they grow in perfectly and don’t present any issues.
The problem is that most people don’t have a jawbone large enough to accommodate the additional set of molars. That can lead to the wisdom teeth growing in crooked, crowding your other teeth, or not fully emerging at all. Impacted wisdom teeth — ones that can’t get all the way through your gums — can cause significant discomfort.
Fortunately, Dr. Koch can identify problems with wisdom teeth before they start to emerge, preventing you from experiencing the discomfort. He also determines if you or your teen have sufficient space in your jaw for the extra teeth. If not, he recommends removal.
Before recommending wisdom tooth extraction. Dr. Koch reviews your dental health history, performs an oral exam, and takes and analyzes X-rays.
If Dr. Koch recommends wisdom tooth extraction, don’t worry. Our team offers a variety of anesthetic options — from local anesthetic to IV sedation — to ensure you are completely comfortable. We also send you home with pain medication for the few days of recovery.
Recovering from wisdom tooth removal means laying low for a couple of days and choosing soft foods. Stock up on soup and ice cream and queue up your favorite show or find a good book. After a few days at home, you should be ready to get back to your usual daily activities.
To see if you or your child should consider wisdom tooth removal, schedule an appointment with Dr. Koch. Call our office or book your visit online today.
