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Wisdom teeth are the third molars that usually appear between the ages of 17-25 and can affect oral health. While these teeth grow properly in some people, in other cases they can grow impacted or incorrectly positioned. This can cause pain, infection and other dental health problems. Today, many people wonder whether these teeth should be extracted. Although tooth extraction is sometimes seen as an unnecessary procedure, an intervention performed at the right time can actually prevent larger teeth and jaw problems in the coming years. So, why do wisdom teeth cause problems and how should they be treated? Here is everything you need to know in detail about wisdom teeth.
There are a total of 32 teeth in the human mouth, and the last ones to come out are called wisdom teeth. Wisdom teeth are located at the very back of the jaw, and today, many people do not have enough space for them to come out due to the shrinkage of the jaw structure. The human jaw structure has changed in the evolutionary process, and the functionality of these teeth has decreased with modern eating habits. As a result, wisdom teeth can remain buried, come out at the wrong angle, or only a part of them can come out, causing infection and inflammation in the gums.
During the emergence of these teeth, swelling and tenderness in the gums are usually experienced. Since they are located at the very back of the mouth, they are difficult to clean, and the risk of decay and infection is quite high. For this reason, dentists recommend regular check-ups on wisdom teeth.
Wisdom teeth can cause problems in the mouth for various reasons. If they remain impacted, they can create pressure in the jawbone, which can cause serious pain over time. In some people, the pressure of the wisdom teeth on the side teeth as they try to emerge can cause crowding and tooth crowding. In addition, food residue can accumulate around the wisdom teeth that are positioned incorrectly, which can cause bacterial growth and increase the risk of infection.
Especially partially erupted wisdom teeth can cause gum infection to develop around them. This condition is called pericoronitis and can manifest itself with symptoms such as jaw pain, bad breath, and swelling. If this infection is not treated, it can lead to serious oral health problems.
If there is a problem with your wisdom teeth, the following symptoms may occur. These symptoms can range from mild discomfort to serious signs of infection:
In some cases, these symptoms may be temporary and will improve until the tooth comes out completely. However, if the symptoms are persistent and negatively affect daily life, it is important to see a dentist.
When some wisdom teeth come out properly, no intervention is necessary. If there is enough space in the jaw structure and the tooth has come out healthily, there is no need to extract these teeth as long as regular cleaning is done. However, tooth extraction is recommended in the following cases:
The dentist will evaluate the position of the teeth with X-ray images and decide on the most appropriate treatment method.
Wisdom tooth extraction is a surgical procedure performed under local anesthesia. The patient does not feel any pain during the procedure. Depending on the location of the tooth, the dentist may perform a simple extraction or surgical intervention may be required to remove the tooth. In surgical extractions, the bone tissue on the tooth is removed, the tooth is removed, and then stitched.
To protect your oral health and heal quickly after extraction, the following rules should be followed:
Gargling with salt water, applying cold compresses and painkillers can provide temporary relief. However, a dentist should be consulted for a permanent solution.
It depends on the location of the tooth. While simple extractions can be done easily, extraction of impacted teeth may require surgery.
Healing is usually achieved within 7-10 days. However, the full recovery period may vary depending on the individual.
The tooth can get infected, can squeeze other teeth, cause crowding and cause problems such as jaw pain.
You can consult your dentist to learn more about wisdom teeth and learn the necessary treatment methods. You can have a healthy oral structure with early diagnosis and the right treatment!
