Wisdom teeth are a set of upper and lower molars that typically do not erupt until late adolescence or early adulthood. A wisdom tooth is sometimes called a third molar.
A majority of wisdom teeth are problematic and need to be removed. Common problems with wisdom teeth are breaking through the gums at an abnormal angle and decay.
If a wisdom tooth pushes through the gums at an abnormal angle, the tooth can push the other teeth out of alignment. This can lead to problems with the person’s bite or increased wear on the teeth which can cause the teeth to be prone to cavities.
The third molars are susceptible to tooth decay. The sac in which the wisdom tooth has formed can cause a cyst or tumor in the mouth.
If a wisdom tooth does not break through the gums, it may be impacted. An impacted tooth is trapped in the jawbone or behind soft tissue.
A wisdom tooth can be partially impacted while some of the tooth may break through the gums. The part of the tooth that is through the gums can allow bacteria to enter the gum tissue which can lead to infection.
Some people have more wisdom teeth than the typical four. Up to two percent of the population have more than four.
Extra wisdom teeth may take longer to break through the gums because they may have been behind the other wisdom teeth. These unexpected extra wisdom teeth may go undetected unless they start to break through the gums during adulthood.
It is common for all four wisdom teeth to be removed at the same time. If all the teeth have broken through the gums, the extraction is similar to any other tooth extraction.
If any of the teeth are impacted in the jawbone, the removal requires oral surgery. After the extraction of the teeth, the person may experience some pain, swelling, bleeding, and discomfort.
The person may experience some drainage from the site where the teeth were removed. The area of the tooth extraction may bleed during the first several hours.
To help stop bleeding, the dentist may instruct the patient to apply sterile gauze pads and apply pressure. Some people use a moistened tea bag instead of gauze to help the blood clot.
Over-the-counter pain medications are typically used to control the pain and discomfort after tooth extraction. The dentist may suggest a liquid diet for a day or two following the extraction.
A protein shake or liquid diet supplement may be used early in the healing process to make sure the person is getting proper nutrition which encourages healing. The dentist may prescribe antibiotics to prevent infection.
Dry socket is a possible complication of having teeth extracted. It is a painful condition caused by the failure of a blood clot to form or if the clot has become dislodged. People who develop dry socket will need to return to the dentist to have medication inserted in the area of the extraction.