Wisdom teeth can end up being one nasty pain if they decide to emerge through the gums. The only thing that can truly be done to solve the situation is to surgically remove them, to prevent infection and discomfort.
Your wisdom teeth, also called third molars, usually begin to erupt between the ages of seventeen and twenty one. Because they are the last to emerge in the mouth, they are the most common ones to become impacted.
This may happen because they are turned to the side, tilted, or otherwise positioned incorrectly in the jaw. They also become impacted when there is not enough room in the jaw or the mouth for them to emerge.
An impacted tooth can be painless, and you may not even realize it is there. However, when an impaction tries to erupt, the overlying gum may swell and cause pain, which may also be felt in nearby teeth or the ear on that side.
A partially erupted tooth can collect food and other debris, which can lead to gum swelling and an infection called pericoronitis. If untreated, this infection can spread toward the throat or into the neck.
Impaction also can cause problems if they develop decay, or if they push on the neighboring molar, which could lead to tooth movement or decay, as well as changes in the bite. Impaction also can cause cysts and other benign jaw tumors.
These can lead to bone destruction. However, this is rare.
Signs that you may need to see an oral surgeon include swelling of the gum in the back of the mouth or on the side of the jaw, difficulty opening the jaw, bad breath, an unpleasant taste in the mouth, pain or irritation when you open your mouth, and pain when chewing or biting.
Pain can occur for several days, and then disappear for weeks or months before returning. If this is the case with you, your dentist will examine the area and take X-rays if needed.
X-rays can show where your wisdom teeth are and if they are impacted. There is no way to prevent an impacted tooth, but careful dental hygiene, including brushing, flossing or the use of water-jet devices, can reduce the risk of infection.
You can sometimes relieve minor irritation by rinsing with warm salt water, or by taking over-the-counter painkillers. If the tooth continues to cause pain, is infected or is interfering with nearby teeth, the usual treatment is for the problem molar to be extracted.
This can sometimes be done in your dentist's office with a local anesthetic, depending on how far it is under the gum. Extracting can take five to thirty minutes, depending on the position of the molar.
People often are referred to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon to have an impacted tooth removed. It is not uncommon to have all four of them removed to prevent problems in the future.
This usually is done in the surgeon's office with sedation and local anesthesia. Before the extraction, your dentist or oral surgeon will talk to you about the procedure and what type of anesthesia and sedatives he or she will use.
You will not be able to eat for six hours before surgery and should take all your medications on schedule. Someone should drive you to the appointment and take you home, as you will be groggy and in some pain.
After the surgery, your cheeks may swell, and you will find it difficult to eat some foods. Follow your dentist's or oral surgeon's instructions carefully to minimize problems.
If the impaction is not causing irritation or affecting nearby teeth, you will not need immediate treatment. However, your dentist likely will recommend that the molar be extracted to avoid problems later.
Often, it is better to have them extracted before age twenty one, sometimes as early as age sixteen. The surgery often is less complicated, and the area, including the surrounding tissue and bone, heals better than if they are removed later in life.
Because this problem can damage neighboring teeth or distort the bite, call your dentist if you experience pain in your back molars. If you visit your dentist regularly, he or she will keep track of your them and let you know if you need to have them extracted.
It is better to catch a problem right away, rather than wait until the pain is too much to bear. Talk to an oral surgeon today if you have any of the above symptoms.
Author Resource:-
Ignacio Lopez has worked in wisdom teeth removal for 10 years. He has many recommendations of where to look for wisdom teeth Orem.
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