The getting of Wisdom

Wisdom teeth usually don't come through the gums until you are a teenager or in your twenties. They are usually the last teeth to come into your mouth.

The majority of us have four wisdom teeth. Quite often there is little space at the rear of the jaw for wisdom teeth to come easily through the gums. If the jaw does not have enough room for the wisdom tooth to come through, the tooth will become wedged or impacted.

Some impacted wisdom teeth remain buried and cause no trouble. However, other impacted wisdom teeth may cause severe problems.

If one or more of your wisdom teeth causes problems, your dentist may recommend that it be removed. It should be removed soon so that pain, infection or other problems do not get worse.

However, your dentist may recommend other options. If there is an infection around the tooth, your dentist may delay surgery while the infection is being treated. There is a possibility your dentist can fix the problem and removal won't be necessary.

Removal of a wisdom tooth is a common procedure. Removal of troublesome wisdom teeth should usually be done as soon as possible before the problems get worse. If your wisdom teeth are likely to be difficult or complicated to remove, your dentist may refer you to an oral surgeon. An oral surgeon is specially trained in surgery of the mouth, teeth, gums and jaws.

Your dentist may recommend early removal of one or more wisdom teeth because there is not enough room for the tooth to push through; or you need orthodontic work, and the remaining teeth would be crowded by wisdom teeth, making existing problems worse.

It is best to have troublesome wisdom teeth removed when you are still young. The tooth roots have not yet completely formed and the bone surrounding the tooth is softer allowing easier removal of the tooth, with less risk of damage to nerves, bone or other teeth.

An impacted wisdom tooth will start to push through the gum, and an infection can start around the top of the tooth. Infection and inflammation can cause pain, swelling and jaw stiffness. Swallowing may be painful. The infection can cause bad breath.

Your Dentist may clean the infected area around the tooth. You may be advised to rinse your mouth often with a warm saltwater mouthwash.

Use one teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water. The water should be as warm as possible, but not too hot. Your dentist may also suggest a disinfectant mouthwash and a pain killer for you to use.

Your dentist may prescribe antibiotics. Tell your dentist if you have ever had an allergic reaction to any antibiotics or other drugs.

Pressure from the wisdom tooth may cause pain in the tooth next to it. Pain can also be caused by infection around the wisdom tooth.

If a wisdom tooth is not removed, a cyst can form around the tooth and may displace the tooth. This can destroy bone and damage other teeth and the gums. An impacted wisdom tooth may keep pushing the molar next to it. This can cause an erosion cavity where the wisdom tooth hits the other molar. This often leads to serious damage to both teeth. The molars may become infected or abscessed. Removal of both molars is often needed.

An upper wisdom tooth may push sideways out of the gum. It may cause an ulcer where it rubs against the inside of the cheek. Food can also become trapped between the wisdom tooth and the molar next to it. This can cause cavities in both teeth.

It's always a good idea to ask your dentist about "the state of play" with your wisdom teeth, that is if they have not already been removed!