Wisdom teeth constitute the third set or the final pairs of molars that originate at the back of the mouth region. These impacted wisdom teeth appear in late adolescence or early adulthood. When these teeth are aligned appropriately, it is viewed as an important asset to the mouth.
However, in most cases, these teeth do not develop properly due to a lack of space in the mouth. These are usually misaligned; they may grow in a horizontal direction or at an inappropriate angle- either inwardly or outwardly, leaving a substantial gap between second molars and themselves. Thus, it may lead to various dental problems to the individual like damage to related teeth, nerves and even jawbone leading to their removal.
Generally, wisdom teeth are covered with a soft tissue or they may not emerge through the gum. At times, the wisdom teeth erupt partially thereby causing other bacterial microbes to move around the tooth region causing infections. The infections lead to painful sensations, stiffness is jaw area, inflammation in gums and general symptoms like headache, nausea, and dizziness. It can further because decaying of tooth enamel due to its awkward position making it’s cleansing difficult.
Do you have a Wisdom tooth?
Not every individual has a wisdom tooth. Are you curious to know if you have a wisdom tooth or not? Well, there is always a way to know whether you have wisdom teeth. During teen ages, the emergence of wisdom tooth from the gingival can be felt by the individuals as it can cause a dull throbbing in the backside of the mouth region.
You can consult your dentist regarding the positioning of your teeth. The dentist may take an X-ray of your mouth to make an assessment regarding the presence of wisdom teeth.
Signs and Symptoms of Wisdom tooth
As such there are no definite symptoms of wisdom tooth but if any tooth gets infected, and then you may observe various signs regarding the same. The signs and symptoms of an infected wisdom tooth are mentioned below:
- Pericoronitis is a condition when there is a shortage of space for the development of all the teeth in the lower jaw. It is one of the common conditions that lead to pressure on other teeth and ultimately crowding of the lower teeth. Emergent tooth extraction may be recommended in this situation.
- Cyst formation can be another leading cause of an infectious wisdom tooth. The sac made of soft tissue in which wisdom tooth develops can be filled with a fluid-like substance. The fluid may collect at one place leading to the formation of a cyst, further damaging the jawbone, other molars and nerves. In rare cases, even benign tumor formation can also get developed. In such cases, doctors may remove the entire tissue or the damaged bone.
- Tooth Decay may take place due to poor alignment of the wisdom teeth and uninhibited growth of microbes around the tooth because of difficulty in brushing and flossing of wisdom teeth. The decaying of tooth enamel can produce painful feelings ranging from mild to moderate level.
- The pain may or may not be continuous, that is, it may come and go for over a few months or years. One can also experience redness or swollen gums, foul breath and tender jaws.
Extraction of the Wisdom tooth
If the doctors identify any problem regarding wisdom teeth, then they may recommend the tooth extraction also to avoid any further complication. The wisdom tooth extraction is comparatively easier in the young population as the underlying roots may not be completely developed unlike elderly people as the recovery process takes an even longer time.
The tooth extraction procedure involves local anesthesia which is administered by the dentist to make sure that the concerned person does not experience any major discomfort during the extraction process. Also, various patients prefer to be under sedation like a stage but in a conscious condition where the person remains sleepy and all the painful sensations are blocked.
The oral surgeon performs the minor surgical procedure in which he removes the nerves and tissues surrounding the wisdom tooth region following which the wisdom tooth can be removed conveniently. The treated area is further closed by stitching and the tissue is left for healing.
The stitches can come out on its own after the healing process is completed or it may get dissolved. At times, the surgeon has to remove the stitches after a brief period.
The Recovery period after Tooth extraction
The healing and recovery process after undergoing a wisdom tooth extraction requires a good minimum time of three to five days. After the surgical procedure, a person may notice sight bleeding from the surgical site and it can subside after 24 hours. Once the influence of anesthesia is over, the individual can experience sudden stiffness in the jaw portion, difficulty in opening mouth and some pain.
The dentist also prescribes some pain relieving medicines to assist with discomfort caused by post operations symptoms. The dentist instructs the patient to consume soft foods, avoid any spicy food, chewing tobacco or alcohol consumption, smoking is also not allowed due to its ability to slow down the healing process and increase painful feelings further complicating the condition.
To avoid any complications, it is best to give proper time for the tooth to heal and follow the instructions given by your dentist. The complete healing process requires a minimum of three to four weeks.
Final Words
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