SHARES
Wisdom teeth are the third set of molars in the furthest back of your mouth. Both the upper and lower wisdom teeth typically come in during the late teen years or early adulthood if they ever erupt. Since these teeth are the last to develop in your jaws, often there is inadequate space for them to erupt in the correct position like your other teeth.
Common issues with wisdom teeth
- Impacted wisdom teeth
A wisdom tooth can develop at a wrong angle causing it to be stuck, also known as ‘’impacted’’. Impacted wisdom teeth are commonly associated with the lower jaws. These teeth may appear to be erupting but fail to come into the jaw completely due to lack of space. Besides that, some of them may not be visible in the mouth at all but are present in the jaw bone. They can give rise to pain when actively erupting but lack of space may impede their eruption.
- Pericoronitis
Pericoronitis is the inflammation of gum tissue commonly associated with lower wisdom teeth. This condition happens when there is gum tissue overlapping the chewing surface of the tooth. The main cause for pericoronitis is the accumulation of bacteria. Food debris and bacteria can get trapped easily in the space between the wisdom tooth and the overlapping gum. Consequently, it may cause pain, swelling or even fever.
- Tooth decay
Moreover, malpositioned wisdom teeth can be difficult to clean. Hence, these teeth have a higher risk of decay. Besides that, decay can also happen to the tooth before the wrongly positioned wisdom tooth if both teeth are in close proximity.
Reasons for wisdom teeth removal
Your dentist will carry out examination and x-rays to determine the condition of your wisdom teeth. Removal of these teeth is not necessary if they do not cause problem. Your dentist may recommend the procedure if you develop:
- Recurrent pain and infection
- Tooth decay
- Gum disease
- Abscesses
- Pathologies such as cysts or tumours
- Severe malpositioning
Wisdom teeth removal
Removal of wisdom teeth may be simple or complicated depending on the position of the teeth. Your dentist might be able to remove them. If deemed more complicated, he or she may refer you to a dental surgeon instead. Wisdom teeth extraction is usually an outpatient procedure. Hence, you can go home on the same day. During the procedure, your dental surgeon may use different types of anaesthesia, such as local anaesthesia, sedation anaesthesia or general anaesthesia depending on the difficulty of the removal.
Recovering from wisdom teeth extraction
Wisdom teeth extraction may come with some common complications such as infection, swelling, altered sensation and haemorrhage. You can reduce these risks by following these tips:
- Take it easy after the procedure to recover – overexerting yourself can put pressure on the extraction site leading to increased pain and bleeding
- Keep the area around the extraction clean
- Avoid smoking and alcohol
- Avoid sucking or spitting which may promote bleeding
- Manage pain with painkillers
- After 24 hours, start gentle rinses with warm saltwater
If you develop any unusual bleeding, pain or swelling, contact your dentist immediately.
Conclusion
Not all wisdom teeth cause problems. Nevertheless, monitoring these teeth is essential to detect any potential issues. Removal of wisdom teeth at a younger age may improve the outcome of the procedure.
If you would like to make an appointment with a Dental Surgeon:
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by Soh May Leng
Born and raised in Malaysia, May Leng obtained her Bachelor of Dental Surgery from the University of Otago, New Zealand. She has joined the GetDoc team to relay valuable health information to the public. Staying active plays a big part in her daily life especially through outdoor sports such as running and swimming. She also enjoys travelling and has a passion for photography. View all articles by Soh May Leng.
