Teeth - wisdom teeth - Wisdom Teeth

Teeth - wisdom teeth
May 2006
Better Health Channel

Wisdom teeth are the rear molars that erupt sometime around the late teens or early 20s. There are normally two wisdom teeth in the upper jaw and two in the lower jaw, but some people have fewer than four, or even none at all. Wisdom teeth can cause various dental problems, including overcrowding of the existing teeth and impaction - the wisdom tooth erupts at an angle and butts into the next-door molar (hard impaction) or the gum (soft impaction). A wisdom tooth that grows on an angle can't contribute to chewing, which makes it useless as well as painful. It is recommended that problematic wisdom teeth be removed. X-rays taken while the teeth are still emerging can indicate whether or not they will cause difficulties. Common problems associated with impacted wisdom teeth include gum infections and tooth decay.

Symptoms
The symptoms of an infection caused by a wisdom tooth include:

Reddened, inflamed and tender gum alongside the wisdom tooth
Pus oozing from the gumline
The lymph glands under the jaw become sore
Eventually, it may become difficult to open the mouth
Fever.
Common complications
In some cases, there may not be enough room in the jaw for the emerging wisdom teeth. This can stall their exit at the halfway point (soft impaction), and make brushing and flossing these teeth very difficult. Food and bacteria will build up between the wisdom tooth and its neighbouring molar, so decay and gum infections are more likely. Crowded wisdom teeth in the upper jaw have a tendency to lean sideways and grate against the cheek, causing chewing problems. The pressure from wisdom teeth may also force the other teeth closer together and interfere with the bite. Gum disease and cysts are other complications of impacted wisdom teeth. Very rarely, a tumour may develop at the site.

Antibiotics are a short term solution
Mouth infections caused by wisdom teeth can be treated with antibiotics, but the infection will keep coming back unless the teeth are removed. People with pre-existing health problems and compromised immunity can suffer serious complications from these infections.

Extraction is best done early
Toothache prompts a person to visit their dentist. However, wisdom teeth don't usually cause any pain until the damage has already been done. Extraction is best performed sooner rather than later. The roots of wisdom teeth in a teenager are still forming, which makes extraction easier. The operation may be more complicated if a person waits until later in life, when the roots of these molars are completely formed and embedded firmly in the jaw....