What are wisdom teeth

An old proverb says that age brings wisdom. The same holds when it comes to your teeth as well. The ancient human population benefited from wisdom teeth due to their dietary choices. This adaptive trait represents a relic that no longer serves a purpose. 

Nowadays, they’re a source of dental issues, which can sometimes be dangerous, rather than useful for grasping and shredding food. Usually located deep in the back of the mouth, wisdom teeth are the third molars, two on each side of the top and bottom rows. Wisdom teeth are different from the other 28 in your mouth, and their development is related to your age. 

However, what is the difference between wisdom teeth and other teeth, and what are they? Do you know why wisdom teeth cause pain? Why are you hearing about it so much? What are the signs that your wisdom teeth are causing you discomfort? Hence, this article will give you some information about wisdom teeth pain symptoms and what they mean. Let’s dive in.

What are Wisdom Teeth?

As an adult, you most likely have 32 teeth, including four wisdom teeth positioned in each corner of your mouth. These are the last adult teeth to erupt if they do. As an adult, you most likely have 32 teeth, including four wisdom teeth positioned in each corner of your mouth. These are the last adult teeth to erupt if they do.

They usually appear during adolescence or early adulthood, and they may cause problems because the mouth is not large enough for them to develop properly. When there is not enough room inside your gums, teeth may protrude partially through your gum. This is an example of impacted wisdom teeth, so you should consider emergency wisdom tooth removal in that case. Thus, you can schedule an appointment with Dr. Kumar, DDS, MS, MBA, FDSRCS, a board-certified periodontist in Carrollton, TX.

An impacted wisdom tooth can cause pain and damage to the surrounding teeth. Besides creating other dental issues, they can crowd the neighboring teeth or impact the gums. There are exceptions, and even some impacted wisdom teeth may not be painful.

What Causes Wisdom Teeth Pain?

Insufficient space causes wisdom teeth to become painful as they cannot grow in or develop normally. It is common for wisdom teeth to emerge between 17 and 25. Some wisdom teeth erupt naturally and align with the teeth behind their second molars. However, most of the time, third molars fail to develop properly because the mouth is overcrowded. This painful imprisoning of third molars causes considerable pain.

As a result, wisdom teeth eruption causes pain and problems since your present jaws are not large enough to accommodate them. The room is not enough, and any extra teeth forced in can cause:

• In some cases, wisdom teeth cannot break through the gums, which impacts wisdom teeth.
• Bacteria can cause infections. Bacteria can easily penetrate a gap around your wisdom teeth and cause a dangerous infection to spread throughout your body if they don’t fully erupt.
• As a result of a lack of space and pressure from nearby teeth, wisdom teeth are erupting crooked.
• Wisdom teeth can become stuck behind the gums and cause excruciating pain and infection.
• The jaw’s nerves and bones are put under more pressure.

Wisdom teeth pain Signs and Symptoms

In addition to causing general pain, wisdom teeth are also capable of causing severe complications. Wisdom tooth symptoms may develop gradually or unexpectedly. Among the signs and symptoms are:

Pain and Infection

Wisdom teeth removal symptoms include pain and irritation in the area around the tooth and when you open your mouth. As the wisdom tooth erupts, it may pressure neighboring teeth, causing pain. There is often pain associated with infection. You may feel pain in the jaw and near the wisdom teeth. When opening your mouth or chewing, you may experience discomfort all the time or only occasionally.

The underlying gums swell when an impacted tooth tries to emerge, causing pain around it or on its side. In some cases, the pain will fade away after a few days, and then you will feel it again later on. You will experience more pain if you wait too long to get them treated.

Swollen gums & Stiff jaw

Wisdom teeth can push against your other teeth, causing them to shift as they erupt. Ultimately, this makes your jaw uncomfortable, rigid, and difficult to open. As a result of this, your gums may also swell on the side of your jaw.

Having swollen and red gums occurs when the flap of excess gum tissue surrounds the tooth when the wisdom teeth partially erupt. Food particles and bacteria become encrusted inside the tissue, infecting it and provoking inflammation over time due to its inability to be cleaned. The wisdom teeth infection is known as peritonitis.

Cavities and Cysts

Untreated wisdom teeth can cause cysts and benign jaw tumors that contain fluid-filled sacs that can infect surrounding tissues. The surrounding teeth’ roots will suffer damage as a result. Occasionally, this can result in bone destruction.

An impacted tooth can cause cavities and dental decay. It may cause tooth displacement by pushing on the neighboring molar, leaving crevices between the teeth that are difficult to clean when brushing. Therefore, they can accumulate food and germs, resulting in dental cavities.

Inflammation and swelling

During wisdom teeth eruption, the gums and surrounding tissues may swell and inflame. The gums can bleed and be painful. You can get pus and fever when you have an infection. You will likely experience swelling or pain in the lymph glands under your jaw.

Diseases of the Gums

Most people do not have enough space for wisdom teeth, which can cause overcrowding and make cleaning difficult. The result of this is tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease.

Having sinus Pressure and Eating Difficulties

Your wisdom teeth could be causing sinus pain, pressure, and headaches regularly. A wisdom tooth that is still growing could push against the sinus cavity, causing sinus problems. This pressure may lead to headaches and sinus pain.

If your wisdom teeth are misaligned, you may have difficulty opening and closing your mouth. It may cause pain when you chew or bite. Your breath will smell bad, and you will have an unpleasant taste in your mouth when your wisdom teeth erupt.

If you experience these signs, your dentist may recommend pulling your wisdom teeth.

When to Have Wisdom Teeth Removed?

Some people do not develop wisdom teeth that grow through the gum. Up to 80% of young adults miss at least one wisdom tooth. Most often, this occurs in the lower jaw. It is usually due to insufficient space in the jaw. The wisdom tooth may become crooked because of other teeth standing in its way.

Wisdom teeth usually do not cause problems even if they do not erupt. Although they are often listed as safe, they can cause discomfort, edema, tooth decay, and swollen gums. Impacted wisdom teeth may shift adjacent teeth into the path of other teeth. Wisdom teeth can also cause problems if they burst through the gum line. Your dentist will recommend the extraction of your wisdom teeth. You may also wonder when it is best to get your wisdom teeth pulled?

When it comes to removing wisdom teeth, there are various factors to consider, which you should discuss with your dentist. Wisdom teeth may not present a problem for some people, but it is not the case for the vast majority. In most cases, wisdom teeth begin to develop around 16.

Your dentist or oral surgeon may recommend extraction before the tooth erupts, even if you are not experiencing any symptoms currently. The roots and bones of the teeth have not fully developed in the 20s; therefore, dentists and oral surgeons feel that it is easier to remove. Younger people who undergo treatment recover quicker and with fewer side effects.

In your teens, regular dental appointments allow you to have your teeth examined regularly before symptoms appear. If you suffer from any of the frequent symptoms, your dentist would most likely recommend removing the tooth right away.

What Should You Do About Your Wisdom Teeth?

For ancient people, wisdom teeth were probably essential, but they are no longer essential today. Leaving wisdom teeth untreated in many instances can cause pain and dental problems. Make an appointment with your dentist for a consultation about your wisdom teeth before you experience any pain or discomfort.

Get in touch with Dr. Kumar, DDS, MS, MBA, FDSRCS, a board-certified periodontist in Dallas, Texas, if you are experiencing wisdom teeth problems. You can discuss wisdom tooth removal and how to keep your smile looking great with him.

The Takeaway

There is no way to avoid impaction. Meanwhile, your dentist can track the growth and emergence of your wisdom teeth by scheduling a six-month dental cleaning and checkup. The regular updating of dental X-rays can allow early detection of impacted wisdom teeth. Do not look further; make an appointment with Dr. Kumar, DDS, MS, MBA, FDSRCS, a board-certified periodontist in Carrollton, TX, for your dental checkup.

FAQS

What are the Reasons for Wisdom Teeth Extraction?

It is usually okay to leave your wisdom teeth in place if they do not cause any problems. It has been shown that there is no benefit and that there are problems.

If wisdom teeth are impacted or haven’t fully broken through the gum surface, they may pose dental problems. Plaque can build up around the edges of wisdom teeth from food and germs becoming trapped, leading to:

• There may be gum disease, also called gingivitis or periodontal disease.
• A bacterial infection of the cheek and tongue can occur as Cellulitis.
• Pericoronitis occurs when plaque infects the soft tissue surrounding the tooth
• Occasionally, a wisdom tooth that hasn’t cut through the gum will develop a cyst.
• Tooth decay refers to dental caries.
• If you have an infection of your wisdom teeth, you may experience an abscess.

Several antiseptic types of mouthwash available can help with these issues. When other treatments fail, wisdom teeth extraction becomes necessary.

What is an Impacted Wisdom Tooth?

There is not enough room for 32 teeth in the human mouth, including the four wisdom teeth, which can cause crowding, infection, and earaches. There are usually four wisdom teeth per person. An individual may have from one to four and, in rare circumstances, more than four. Wisdom teeth do not emerge fully into the mouth due to a tiny jaw or mouth with many teeth. The result can be congestion, infections, earaches, and edema.

Also, wisdom teeth may emerge unusually, such as sideways, at an unnatural angle, or partially. When wisdom teeth are positioned incorrectly, they can cause pain and injury to nearby teeth. The angle and position of wisdom teeth make them susceptible to infection and decay, even if they have no visible damage. Maintaining adequate oral hygiene can prevent most people from needing their wisdom teeth extracted. A dentist may need to remove teeth if they see changes in the mouth. Whenever wisdom teeth cause a dental issue of this type, it’s referred to as impacted wisdom teeth.

How do Impacted Wisdom teeth Affect My Oral Health?

No matter how partially impacted your wisdom teeth are, they can grow at irregular angles if they are not given enough room to emerge and develop properly. When wisdom teeth are impacted, they can become stuck in the jawbone and cause pain and muscle spasms. When wisdom teeth are partially impacted, plaque and tartar will build up quickly, resulting in gingivitis, infection, and other problems.

Not removing impacted wisdom teeth can have disastrous long-term consequences for your oral health if ignored. Pericoronitis occurs when plaque builds up in the mouth, causing bad breath, pain, swelling, and difficulty opening the mouth. Tooth decay and gingivitis caused by impacted wisdom teeth can lead to more serious periodontal disease and tooth loss. Several types of cysts, abscesses and benign tumors can develop also. In this case, your oral surgeon may need to remove tissue and bone to correct the problem. 

How Are Impacted Wisdom Teeth Treated?

When an impacted wisdom tooth causes minor irritations, you can sometimes relieve them with warm salt water or pain medication you already have at home. In any case, if an impacted wisdom tooth continues to cause pain or returns, it is likely to need to be extracted. The removal of an impacted wisdom tooth can take anywhere from five minutes to half an hour, depending on its location.

Patients are frequently referred to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon for an impacted tooth extraction. As part of the normal process, the dentist discusses the operation and its hazards, the sedatives, and the type of anesthesia to be used. You will also be asked not to eat for at least six hours before the surgery.

The swelling in the cheeks and jaw is very common after surgery. You may also have difficulty eating certain meals. The probability of complications following surgery is rare, but they can occur, so you must carefully follow your dentist’s recommendations.

What are the Consequences of Not Removing Impacted Wisdom Teeth?

Many reasons can lead to wisdom teeth extraction, including pain, infection, or problems with growth. Some people need wisdom teeth removal, but problems can arise if it isn’t done. Such as:

Crowding

The third molars cannot properly grow if a patient has a small mouth and jaw. The eruption of these teeth may cause overcrowding. This will result in your teeth shifting or overlapping. Having wisdom teeth erupt after orthodontic treatment might undo the treatment and shift the teeth.

Wisdom Teeth Impacted

Impacted wisdom teeth can become trapped beneath the gum line. When wisdom teeth have been impacted, they can be extremely painful and prone to abscesses and infections. If the impaction is not treated, the teeth might decay and resorb.

Wisdom teeth migrate parallel to the jaw when their growth is not carefully monitored. Additionally, they can shift backward, reducing your jaw’s ability to open and close.

Decay Potential Increased

Wisdom teeth can be challenging to maintain even if they develop normally. Other bacteria can grow; as a result, possibly causing health problems in life. Wisdom teeth should always be monitored if they are not extracted. In terms of decay and other issues, wisdom teeth are like other teeth.

Can Impacted Wisdom Teeth Cause Headaches?

Impacted wisdom teeth can irritate the temporomandibular joint, which connects the jaw to the skull, leading to headaches. There is also a possibility of this pain spreading to other parts of the head and face.

When you experience pain, discomfort, and headaches, you should visit a dentist to ensure your wisdom teeth develop properly. As long as they are not erupting, you can leave them alone, and your symptoms will subside.

In conclusion, wisdom teeth are teeth that grow in at the back of your mouth. Most people have four wisdom teeth, but some people may have more or fewer. Wisdom teeth can cause problems if they grow in crooked or if there isn’t enough room for them in your mouth. If you have wisdom teeth that are causing you problems, you may need to have them removed.