WISDOM TOOTH
A wisdom tooth, in humans, is any of the usual four third molars. Wisdom teeth usually appear between the ages of 16 and 25.[1] Most adults have four wisdom teeth, but it is possible to have fewer or more, in which case the extras are called supernumerary teeth. Wisdom teeth commonly affect other teeth as they develop, becoming impacted or "coming in sideways." They are often extracted when this occurs.
What causes problems with wisdom teeth?
Wisdom teeth may break partway through your gums, causing a flap of gum tissue to grow over them where food can become trapped and a gum infection can develop. Wisdom teeth can also come in crooked or facing the wrong direction. Or, if your jaw is not large enough to give them room, wisdom teeth may become impacted and unable to break through your gums. You may have trouble properly cleaning around wisdom teeth because they are so far in the back of your mouth and may be crowded.
When is the best time to remove your wisdom tooth?
The AAOMS/ OMSF study strongly recommends that wisdom teeth be removed by the time the patient is a young adult in order to prevent future problems and to ensure optimal healing. This is when the roots of the wisdom teeth is not completely developed and the bone is more elastic- rendering easier removal and minimising risks associated with the surgery such as nerve injury. Oral surgeons generally agree that removing a wisdom tooth is easier in younger people (usually before age 20), when the tooth's roots and the jawbone are not completely developed. After age 20, the jawbone tends to get harder, and healing typically takes longer.
What are the symptoms?
Wisdom teeth often cause no symptoms. Symptoms that may mean your wisdom teeth need to be removed include:
What causes problems with wisdom teeth?
Wisdom teeth may break partway through your gums, causing a flap of gum tissue to grow over them where food can become trapped and a gum infection can develop. Wisdom teeth can also come in crooked or facing the wrong direction. Or, if your jaw is not large enough to give them room, wisdom teeth may become impacted and unable to break through your gums. You may have trouble properly cleaning around wisdom teeth because they are so far in the back of your mouth and may be crowded.
When is the best time to remove your wisdom tooth?
The AAOMS/ OMSF study strongly recommends that wisdom teeth be removed by the time the patient is a young adult in order to prevent future problems and to ensure optimal healing. This is when the roots of the wisdom teeth is not completely developed and the bone is more elastic- rendering easier removal and minimising risks associated with the surgery such as nerve injury. Oral surgeons generally agree that removing a wisdom tooth is easier in younger people (usually before age 20), when the tooth's roots and the jawbone are not completely developed. After age 20, the jawbone tends to get harder, and healing typically takes longer.
What are the symptoms?
Wisdom teeth often cause no symptoms. Symptoms that may mean your wisdom teeth need to be removed include:
- Pain or jaw stiffness near an impacted tooth.
- Pain or irritation from a tooth coming in at an awkward angle and rubbing against your cheek, tongue, or top or bottom of the mouth.
- An infected swelling in the flap of gum tissue that has formed on top of an impacted tooth that has partially broken through the gum.
- Crowding of other teeth.
- Tooth decay or gum disease if there's not enough room to properly care for the wisdom tooth and surrounding teeth.
