Wisdom tooth is one of the third set of molars, which erupts in adulthood. While wisdom tooth eruption may not cause much problem in many, but for some, it may be quite troublesome. In this guide about everything you need to know about the wisdom tooth and its eruption, important basics are covered. Knowing about wisdom tooth and its eruption helps in every way.
Wisdom Tooth & Its Eruption!
Wisdom teeth are located at the farthest corner of the mouth and are the final set of teeth to erupt. Misalignment of the wisdom tooth can cause certain severe harm to your jaw. As they are usually surrounded by gum which puts them out of the reach of toothbrushes. This makes regular cleaning difficult which leads to accumulation of bacteria and causes painful cavities. The small enclosures between the joining of the second molars to the third molars are most inaccessible, which increases the risk of plaque accumulation. It is necessary to know about wisdom tooth and its eruption so that you are aware of the problems and are able to deal with it in a better way.
The guide on everything you need to know about the wisdom tooth and its eruption focuses on all these issues.
- In many cases, the wisdom tooth, when misaligned, grows in a horizontal manner either angling itself towards or away from the other immediate teeth.
- When it grows towards the second set of molars due to the large covering of gum flesh it becomes impacted which damage your teeth, jaw and the nerves.
- When the wisdom tooth has only partially erupted through the gums, which leaves an opening for the tooth and the nerves to become vulnerable to infection.
Improper eruption of the wisdom tooth can lead to pain in the gum, irregular gum bleeding, swelling and even stiffness of the jaw. Partial eruption may let your wisdom teeth to be prone to more disease due to its irregular setting and inaccessibility. Wisdom tooth and its eruption may need proper management in some cases, so being aware can help you deal with it.
Symptoms of Wisdom Tooth Eruption
Sometimes, wisdom tooth or the adult’s third pair of molars grows just like any other teeth and takes a proper position when there is enough room. Initially, it might cause slight discomfort but gradually the irritation goes away. There are also certain advantages of having wisdom teeth such as they improve your performance in chewing food or fill up the space of a missing molar. Wisdom tooth and its proper alignment also helps when a person requires a dental bridge.
There are several signs that you may have a misaligned or impacted wisdom tooth. Some of the commonest signs and symptoms that there is a problem with your wisdom tooth and its eruption include the following:
- For some, wisdom tooth and its eruption takes place more subtly without drawing too much attention.
- An indication that your wisdom tooth is about to erupt is when the gum area on the far end of your jaw becomes more soft and tender. This could lead to swelling and irritation in the month. This is probably the best time to check with your dentist and plan treatment, if necessary.
- Symptoms of problems with wisdom tooth and its eruption or malalignment can also include headaches. When the tooth becomes impacted it causes tension between it and the other molars which might lead to headaches. If you are already prone to regular headaches, it is best to check with the dentist to rule out the possibility of wisdom tooth and its erection.
- The most visible symptom of a wisdom tooth and its eruption is when opening in the gum caused by the eruption leads to infection. Due to its location, brushing of the teeth and flossing may not be of much use. The small gaps created between the gums are prone to infection because food may get stuck. It may also lead to bacterial infection caused by pericoronitis and tooth extraction may be needed.
Treatment for Wisdom Tooth Eruption
Depending on the problems with wisdom tooth and its eruption, treatment can be planned. A regular visit to the dentist helps to identify problems at an early stage. Also, once you note any problems symptoms and suspect problems with your wisdom tooth eruption, plan a dental check-up.
The dentist would need to check the position of the wisdom tooth, in relation other teeth. Hence, an X-Ray may be ordered. This helps to determine any malalignment, infection and severity of problem. The degree of complexity in which the wisdom tooth is placed will determine the treatment needed for your wisdom tooth. In cases where wisdom tooth and its eruption looks complicated or shows possibility of infection, it may have to be extracted. In some cases, treatment from a dental surgeon is preferred.
The dentist administers an anesthetic via injection in order to numb the surrounding area to prevent pain while extraction. After the tooth is removed, any excess bone blocking is also removed. Wisdom tooth extraction usually takes around 15 to 20 minutes. After the surgery, the area from where the tooth was removed is stitched. Your dentist may put a cotton ball in your mouth and ask you to bite down on it for clot formation to seal the opening. Anti-inflammatories and antibiotics are prescribed. The patient should not, for the next 24 hours, rinse their mouth with any liquid, drink alcohol or smoke, drink any hot liquids such as tea or soup and avoid any form of strenuous activity.
Problems like mild swelling, dry socket, and paresthesia are managed with prescribed medication and usually recover with time as the wound heals. Watch out for any large swelling, severe pain, bleeding or fever and report to the dentist, if needed. Your awareness and cooperation will surely improve and enable you to deal with wisdom tooth problems confidently.
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