4 Signs that you should Extract your Wisdom Teeth
Wisdom teeth are closely related to the appearance of pain, but not in all cases the person experiences complications. Here are 4 signs that you should have your wisdom teeth extracted.
Most people have wisdom teeth -or wisdom teeth-, but there are others who never grow in. Although almost everyone has heard of wisdom teeth, not everyone really knows what they are, when they erupt and what problems they can cause for the rest of the teeth.
What are the Wisdom Teeth?
When we talk about wisdom teeth, we are referring to the four teeth that erupt in the back of the mouth, behind the second molars. These molars are the last to erupt and generally begin to appear between the ages of 17 and 25, although it depends on the individual.
They may appear at an earlier or later age, or may not grow at all.
In most people, wisdom teeth do not erupt completely due to a lack of space. Partial eruption of these teeth causes various problems, most frequently episodes of infection and pain. When this occurs, extraction of the molars is the only solution.
Wisdom teeth do not have a fundamental mission in our mouth, so it is usual to extract them if they present or may present problems. It is in these cases that the dentist or maxillofacial surgeon should evaluate the possibility of surgery to remove them.
When should I know if I should have my wisdom teeth removed?
The wisdom teeth are the last teeth to erupt in the mouth. When they are properly aligned with the other teeth and the gum tissue overlying them is healthy, wisdom teeth should not be extracted.
Wisdom teeth may need to be removed when they grow in diagonally, emerge only partially or even when they are trapped under the gums.
Impacted molars in the bone may take various positions to try to find a way to erupt. This malpositioning of wisdom teeth can cause several problems.
When they have partially erupted, the opening of the gums allows bacteria to grow and can lead to infection.
The result: swelling, pain and even fever. The pressure from the eruption of the third molar can move the other teeth and screw up their proper alignment, causing orthodontic problems.
A less frequent but more serious problem is the formation of cysts around the tooth that can lead to the destruction of the jawbone and surrounding healthy teeth.
Signs that you should have your wisdom teeth removed
The wisdom teeth can cause symptomatology that indicates that these pieces should be extracted. Some clear signs for this and signs can be:
1. A reddening and swelling of the gum in the posterior region of the jaws.
It is one of the most common symptoms, as well as when children's teeth come in. The redness and swelling of the gums is a clear indicator that a tooth or molar is growing, however it is important to note if this pain is localized or if it has an effect on the head.
2. Bleeding and gingival hypersensitivity:
Very similar to gingivitis, but the reason for bleeding gums is the growth or appearance of wisdom teeth. Gingivitis is a disease where at first the gums become inflamed, change to a more reddish color and bleed. This occurs due to the deposit of bacteria in the gum and, therefore, the inflammation of the area.
3. Jaw pain and difficulty to open the mouth normally:
As with all tooth growth, pain in the jaw or in the area where the wisdom tooth is appearing may be common. A very strong pain can be felt in the area of the wisdom tooth, it can extend to the ear, throat and head. It causes discomfort when chewing.
4. Halitosis and/or bad taste in the mouth.
It may sound strange for something that occurs when a tooth comes out, but the wisdom tooth is different. This occurs mainly when they are half covered with gum and accumulate abundant plaque that is difficult to sanitize and therefore bad odor.
Can wisdom teeth be prevented?
There is no way to prevent discomfort, except by extracting the teeth. To know if a tooth is going to cause problems, an x-ray is necessary.
The x-ray can show if the wisdom tooth is impacted before any symptoms occur and it can then be extracted.
Wisdom teeth are coming in less and less frequently. Our ancestors had much more developed jaws and could accommodate these molars without any problem.
The change to a softer diet has meant that we no longer need these molars. In addition, evolutionarily speaking, human features have softened, so wisdom teeth do not have enough space to develop.
What to do if I have symptoms?
If you suddenly detect any symptoms or experience pain behind the last molar, consult your dentist immediately and avoid complications.
- If an infection is present, it will be necessary to treat it with antibiotics and visit your dentist as soon as possible, it is the best decision.
If what you have is pain associated with the appearance and “pushing” of the tooth, you should go to your dentist for an evaluation and probable extraction of the problem tooth. - It is a frequent and quick operation that will prevent you from further suffering and damage to the other teeth, because in severe cases they can become so badly impacted that they require orthodontics.
What is the wisdom teeth operation like?
As we have mentioned before, since they do not have a specific function in our mouth, they are generally extracted only if they present problems.
In some cases, the decision to operate on wisdom teeth is made when the person already has symptoms. In other cases, the professional relies on X-rays to determine if the intervention should be performed preventively before the first symptoms occur.
The surgery is quite simple, is performed very frequently and can be performed under local anesthesia.
Don’t let time pass: go to the dentist.
A wisdom tooth that does not erupt correctly not only causes problems related to pain, but can also compromise the entire dentition.
The duration of the intervention depends on the state and situation of the molars, that is, if they have erupted completely or partially, if they are affecting the structures of the mouth, if one or all four have to be extracted.