Most of us experience wisdom teeth discomfort at least once in their lives, and if you are in your late teen years, you may be able to feel it soon. Wisdom teeth are considered as the most trouble causing teeth whenever present.
So the question arises, what are they and why are they so troubling? This page discusses and describes the signs of arriving wisdom teeth as well as their treatment.
What are wisdom teeth?
Wisdom teeth are the last adult teeth to appear, and normally appear in late teenage years, between the ages of 17 and 21. They can be found in the far back of your mouth.
Are wisdom teeth really necessary?
No they are not. Our forefathers and ancestors had broader jaws and ate tougher, uncooked foods. As a result, wisdom teeth came in to provide them extra grinding ability. Because they had broader jaws, these teeth used to come readily and without issues for them. Today’s meals and equipment reduce the need for an additional set of teeth.
How Can I Tell If My Wisdom Teeth Are Emerging?
You can’t really confirm it by yourself and your dentist will most likely confirm it by examining your mouth and by dental X-rays. However, there are several warning indications that you can feel that tell you that your wisdom teeth are on their way.
- Moderate irritation and swelling in the gums at the back of your mouth, behind your second molars.
- A dull ache in the back of your mouth or jaw
- You may notice that your pain is spreading to other areas, such as your neck, eyes, or forehead.
- Unable to open your mouth completely due to pain.
- Irritation and itching in the affected ear
- A bad taste in the mouth
- Bad breath smell
- Minor bleeding in the area
Do wisdom teeth always erupt?
No, not all of the time. It is determined by a number of things. Their angulation in jaws and like the space provided to them. In such cases, your wisdom tooth is impacted inside your jaw or gum and must be extracted if it causes pain.
When should you have your wisdom teeth extracted?
The following can be some of the conditions where you need to get the wisdom teeth extracted
– When your wisdom tooth is decayed,
– there is an recurrent infection in the gum around the wisdom tooth
– wisdom tooth is impacted with signs of cystic changes or bone loss,
– posing hazard to neighbouring teeth due to its tilt, and they are so badly misplaced that they irritate the cheeks.
Should I remove wisdom teeth if they don’t hurt?
No, it is not required. Wisdom teeth are usually considered to be removed as early as possible, because they are most likely to cause difficulties in the future. However, according to NICE guidelines and the American Dental Association, their removal is only recommended if you have persistent ache, infection, tumours, in that area. It is bringing damage to nearby teeth, and is severely damaged by cavities.
When is the best time to get your wisdom teeth extracted by a dentist?
It should be removed as soon as feasible. As time passes, the pain will keep on recurring, causing further damage to the neighbouring teeth. Secondly, the younger the age, the greater chances of healing are present since the bone in older age is more brittle and has a higher risk of fracture.
How to manage wisdom tooth trouble at home?
You can follow these steps to remove some of the discomfort at home before seeing your dentist.
1. Remove any food or debris from the area.
2. Take one cup of warm water, dissolve two teaspoons of salt in it, and rinse your mouth three to four times a day.
3. To alleviate pain, take pain relievers.
How wisdom teeth are extracted?
Your dentist first advises you to get an x-ray done, typically one which captures the whole mouth. Dentists will assess it and guide you regarding the risk and if necessary might refer you to an oral and maxilla-facial surgeon.
If your tooth is not impacted, it will come out like any other. If it is impacted, however, a surgical procedure will be employed where the proper technique will be followed based on the position and depth of your tooth.
All treatments are performed after numbing the area, so you may experience minimal discomfort as possible; nevertheless, you may feel the pressure of a tooth being pulled out.
What is the after care of wisdom tooth extraction?
After your tooth extraction, your tongue and lip may be numb for a while, so avoid biting your lips and tongue.
- Your dentist will prescribe pain relievers and other medications, which you should take on a regular basis.
- For at least 24 hours, avoid strenuous exercise and activity.
- For the next 72 hours, do not consume alcohol or smoke cigarettes.
- For the next 24 hours, avoid spitting, washing, and consuming hot beverages.
- Take beverages without a straw.
- While sleeping, use an extra pillow to raise your head.
Conclusion
Wisdom teeth can develop complications if left untreated, even if you are not in pain. It’s critical to be on the lookout for indicators that your wisdom teeth are coming in or that there’s a problem.
If you suspect a concern with your wisdom teeth, consult with a dentist to ensure that leaving them in place would not cause problems. If there is visible swelling on the affected side that can be seen from outside, then rush towards your dentist.
Wisdom tooth complications can lead to gum disease and dental decay, among other issues. Responding immediately to signals that your wisdom teeth are coming in improves your chances of an easier extraction and a quicker recovery.
