Common Wisdom Teeth Problems And How To Fix Them

9 June 2016
 Categories: Dentist, Blog

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For some people, wisdom teeth can cause all sorts of problems. For other people, wisdom teeth don't cause problems at all. This is why some oral surgeons believe wisdom teeth should be extracted if they are impacted before the age of 20 and others believe wisdom teeth should only be removed before the age of 30 if they are causing problems.

While concrete evidence to support whether or not preventative wisdom teeth removal is a good or bad concept doesn't exist, it isn't a bad idea to know how to recognize potential wisdom teeth problems.

What Are Some Signs Your Wisdom Teeth May Need To Be Removed?

Impacted Teeth: Impacted teeth often occur when there is not enough room for the teeth to erupt through the gum line without causing problems. Your second molars may be damaged when the wisdom teeth begin the process of breaking through. Since teeth at the back of the mouth are harder to clean, this increases the risk of infection in addition to the pain of impaction. This can cause an increase in bacteria in the mouth, which also increases the chances of developing gum disease.

Problems Emerging: When the wisdom teeth emerge, it can cause problems for the other teeth in your mouth, since it can push them out of alignment. During the pushing process, the gums may become infected or bleed often.

Tumors: Tumors may also form and cause damage to the nerves and jawbone. You may also have problems with sensitivity of the teeth close to the impacted tooth.

What Solutions Do You Have For Wisdom Teeth Problems?

When the increased amount of pain involved from impacted wisdom teeth begins to be unbearable, it may be time to seek a dentist. Your regular dentist or an oral surgeon will perform a diagnosis to decide how you should proceed. X-rays will be taken to see how the tooth is forming. If it is not coming in correctly, you will probably need to schedule an appointment for removal of the tooth or teeth.

If the procedure is minor, you will likely receive a local anesthetic to numb the area. You can't feel the pain, but you will feel the pressure when the tooth is worked free of the gum line. More severe cases may require sedation using an intravenous (IV) line or general anesthesia.

Each patient may receive a different diagnosis when the decision is presented to keep or remove wisdom teeth. The lack of space for wisdom teeth can cause problems, such as an impacted tooth. The teeth are flat and may cause plaque and bacteria to build up, resulting in gum disease or decayed teeth. When the pain begins, it is best to seek the advice of your dentist because, in many cases, it will become much worse.