Wisdom Teeth Removal

How do I know if my wisdom teeth need to be removed?

Common signs that your wisdom teeth need to be removed include:

• Impaction: If a tooth is stuck under the gums or completely hidden, it can lead to infection or damage to other teeth or roots.
• Changing bite alignment: Wisdom teeth growing at various angles in the jaw can cause a shift in your bite alignment.
• Crowding or damage to existing teeth: Wisdom teeth may not have enough room to come in properly, causing crowding or damage to adjacent teeth.
• Partial emergence: If wisdom teeth only partially emerge through the gums, it can create a breeding ground for bacteria and lead to gum disease and oral infection.

Many dentists recommend removing wisdom teeth at an early age before the roots and bones are fully formed. This can lead to faster recovery.

How do I relieve wisdom tooth pain?

The following remedies relieve wisdom tooth pain:

1. Rinse with salt water.
2. Use peppermint essential oils or clove oil to soothe pain.
3. Take aspirin or an over-the-counter pain reliever.
4. Apply an ice pack or heating pad to your cheeks.

Wisdom teeth usually emerge between the ages of 17 and 25. As they grow through the jawbone and break through the gum line, they may become inflamed or bleed, causing headaches or tooth pain.

What is an impacted wisdom tooth?

When a wisdom tooth doesn’t have enough room to come in normally, it is considered an impacted wisdom tooth. Depending on where the teeth lie within the jaw, several degrees of impacted wisdom teeth exist. Soft-tissue impaction occurs when the tooth’s crown has penetrated the bone but the gum still covers part of the tooth. Partially bony impaction occurs when the tooth has partially erupted but a part of the tooth remains submerged in the jawbone. Complete bony impaction occurs when the jawbone entirely encases the tooth.