Wisdom teeth usually start erupting when a person is in his/her late adolescence. Wisdom teeth are the third molars that almost all people get in their early twenties, right at the back, making your teeth a complete set of 32. Usually they appear between 17 to 25 years of age, although, it is not necessary that they erupt. But if they do erupt with proper alignment, can serve as valuable assets for you. Wisdom tooth helps in providing support to the dental bridge.
Many people have smaller jaws and they actually have room for only 28 teeth. As a result there aren’t enough spaces left for the wisdom teeth to come through properly, which is why they get misaligned and ultimately require removal. Let’s see what happens if wisdom teeth gets misaligned.
Can Wisdom teeth create a problem?
There may be some amount of discomfort when they come out, but it is temporary in nature and disappears once it fully grows. In case of any hindrance from other teeth while the wisdom tooth erupts, they may come out crooked and face the wrong direction. This can result in some serious dental problems.
What are the common symptoms?
Symptoms can vary from person to person depending on their jaw types. But listed below are few common symptoms that one can have.
• Severe jaw pains near the affected tooth.
• Swelling of gum tissues.
• Irritation in the tooth next to the wisdom tooth.
What should I be prepared for?
A part of wisdom teeth may remain covered inside the gum which may become swollen or sore. Food particles can get collected on the gum edge and develop bacteria, which may become very difficult to clean. Temporary problems can always be dealt with mouthwash and possibly taking antibiotics. Mouthwash with lukewarm water with a pinch of salt can effectively reduce the gum soreness and inflammation. If pain persists, please consult your dentist.
How are the wisdom teeth problems diagnosed and treated by a dentist?
Your dentist will check the available space and signs of a wisdom tooth coming through your gum. You will probably have to take an X-RAY to find out the exact cause of the problem. An oral surgeon should remove wisdom tooth that causes problems. Your dentist may remove the gum tissue by giving you a local dose of anesthesia and remove the tooth. After diagnostics, if your dentist finds any infection, he will suggest you to have medicines and wait until it is gone before the tooth removal. After the tooth removal, you dentist may prescribe some antibiotics to reduce the chances of infection.
What are the after-effects of Wisdom tooth extraction?
There may be slight amount of pain and discomfort after tooth removal; swelling and pain could persist for few days. However, taking over-the-counter pain relievers can reduce the pain.
Please don’t have aspirin because there can be a risk of Reye syndrome. Please consume medicines as directed by your dentist. After a few days when the pain and inflammation has subsided, your mouth will feel more comfortable.
How much will it cost to me?
Cost of Wisdom tooth removal may vary; it mainly depends on the complexity and difficulty of its removal. It is suggested to have a written estimate before going ahead with the treatment.