What are Wisdom Teeth?
In a set of 32 teeth in the permanent human dentition, four teeth that’s the third molars are called as the Wisdom teeth. Two are in the upper jaw and two in the lower.
Wisdom teeth are the last molars to erupt in the mouth. There are two in the upper jaw and two in the lower jaw on either side. They are called wisdom teeth because they erupt at an age when the person is considered wiser.
Signs and Symptoms of Wisdom Tooth Pain
Wisdom tooth pain can be excruciating and debilitating. The pain can cause extreme discomfort, inability to open the mouth, pain radiating to the ear and swelling. As a result, the patient is unable to eat or talk. The pain can be due to a badly decayed tooth, inflammation of the gums surrounding the tooth called as pericoronitis or a combination of both of the above.
With people consuming more refined foods compared to our ancestors thousands of years ago, our jaws do not have to make the same effort to chew their foods. Hence, in response to lower demand, the jaws are shrinking. The third molars that erupt the last around the age of 18 years, do not find enough space to erupt in the right direction. As a reason, the wisdom teeth either tilt forwards, lie horizontally, erupt partially or do not develop at all. These third molars when present and not erupted are then called as impacted wisdom teeth.
While the wisdom teeth are erupting there could be pain. If the teeth are coming at an angle they might cut into the cheek and there could be pain.
First Line of Treatment for Relieving Wisdom Tooth Pain
If the wisdom teeth have not erupted completely and are giving a problem, they might require disimpaction or surgical removal. Many times, the wisdom teeth act up suddenly, often at the most unexpected times when you are on a holiday, or do not have easy access to a dentist.
They present with some sort of redness of the gums over the impacted tooth. This inflamed gum causes pain when one eats.
Till professional help is sought and the medication prescribed starts acting the following measures can be taken (home remedies):
- Copious warm water and salt rinses.
- Biting down on a clove.
- Avoid eating anything fibrous or with a husk e.g. pulses, popcorn, fennel seeds, etc.
- Some patients get relief from applying an external icepack to the area.
- If pain persists, take a course of antibiotics and painkillers as prescribed by us.
There are lots of people who suggest various things like garlic paste, teabags, aloe vera gel, turmeric baking soda and guava leaves. However, we do not advocate any of the above as there is no scientific evidence to suggest any advantage or benefit from using the same.
IMPACTED THIRD MOLAR
OPG
Intraoral Photo
FAQ’s
No, if the teeth have erupted straight and completely, they can be extracted like any regular tooth.
Yes. Unless indicated we extract all teeth including wisdom teeth under local anesthesia.
Not at all. There is no correlation.
– Do not eat anything hot or hard for 48 hours
– No rinsing or spitting the day of extraction
– Take prescribed medication on time
– No smoking for at least a week
– Apply cold compresses from outside in that area
If the wisdom tooth is removed surgically and a bit of bone has to be ground sutures might be given. Which might be self-resorbable or may need to be cut off after a week.
No, as long as they are under control. Medication must be taken as usual.
No, consent needs to be taken from your physician. the blood thinner might need to be stopped 4 days prior to extraction and two days post-extraction.
We do not advise you lift heavy weights but light cardio like walking can be done for a day or two.
If the wisdom teeth have erupted and if we feel they might cause a problem we would strongly recommend you get them extracted here as it is way more expensive there, done under general anesthesia so risk involved and you have to have someone drive you back post-extraction. So the entire process is easier here.
No. It varies for each case. Only if the orthodontist feels it is necessary for treatment will we suggest extraction.
No. Wisdom teeth erupt at around 18 to 20 years of age. At this age, there is late growth of the lower jaw. esp. in boys. This growth can cause misalignment of the lower front teeth. Because both events occur around the same time it is often misconstrued that wisdom teeth are causing misalignment. Wisdom teeth need not be extracted for this reason.
We ask for a digital OPG (orthopantomogram) and in some cases a CBCT (cone beam computed tomography) to know the position of the teeth.
An OPG can be taken to evaluate the position and angulation of the teeth. If the lower wisdom teeth look close to the nerve on the OPG, then a CBCT may be suggested.
