Dentists often recommend extraction of wisdom teeth if the wisdom teeth pain is unbearable. The question that arises in the patient’s mind is When to see the dentist? Pulling a tooth can be indeed expensive and painful.
It is often necessary to avoid dental complications when it comes to wisdom teeth pain removal.
Modern dentistry does make the removal of wisdom teeth as pain-free as possible. Trained professionals do make a conscious effort to minimize discomfort as well as ensure that recovery time is minimal. Although the procedure is indeed expensive, most insurance plans do cover at least part of it. Most individuals who do not have their wisdom teeth removed do face problems in due course. Dentists thus recommend extraction for this reason.
What are Wisdom Teeth?
Wisdom teeth happen to be the final four molars in an adult mouth: two on the top and also two on the bottom. People usually have all four, but at times few have fewer or even none at all.
Wisdom teeth tend to erupt from beneath the gums roughly between the ages of 16 and 23. They are the final teeth in the dental arch, tooth crowding is a common issue. Few people feel the pressure of the teeth in their jaws. It does feel like a throbbing or even a dull ache. If the teeth cannot emerge, then they do become impacted. Left untreated, impacted wisdom teeth cause serious problems.
When to see the dentist for wisdom teeth pain?
Individuals consult a dentist whenever they experience pain and discomfort in the mouth. If pain is located in the back of one’s mouth, this could mean that wisdom teeth could be the reason.
Dentists will begin to rather discuss wisdom teeth with patients during their regular visits as teenagers. If extraction is required, it will be easier to remove the wisdom teeth before they have taken root. If not, the dentist will be able to monitor the condition of one’s teeth. Annual X-rays do reveal the position of the wisdom teeth, whether they happen to be impacted, and if removal is necessary.
Not all impacted wisdom teeth need to be extracted, as long as they do not become infected. Good dental hygiene helps. As long as individuals can brush, floss, and take care of the teeth in the back of their mouths, dentists can, of course, continue monitoring them. As these teeth are hard to reach and are indeed more likely to experience decay, most dentists do recommend removal to avoid future complications.
At times, a flap of gum tissue that covers the wisdom tooth swells. This also causes pain when the individual bites down on that area. This flap can rather be easily removed without having to pull the tooth, as long as the surrounding tissue remains healthy.
When is extraction necessary?
- The wisdom tooth can erupt at a certain angle, which makes brushing and also flossing adjacent teeth difficult. This can indeed cause cavities on the adjacent teeth.
- The tooth can rather cause deep recesses below the gum line. These periodontal pockets are filled with bacteria and quickly become infected.
- The gum tissue around one’s adjacent teeth can also recede. Removal of the wisdom teeth will be required to prevent further damage.
- If there is not sufficient room in one’s mouth for the wisdom teeth to erupt, the pressure can indeed cause intense jaw pain and also headaches. They can also push the other respective teeth out of alignment, making them crooked and crowded, even undoing previous orthodontia.
- Occasionally, the wisdom teeth only tend to partially erupt through the gum. This partially erupted tooth does promote infection and tooth decay.
If not an emergency, dentists usually refer their patients to an oral surgeon who will determine if removing the tooth is required. Emergency extraction may be required. If the wisdom teeth have caused an acute infection, then the surgeon will probably prescribe antibiotics and also arrange to remove the teeth as soon as possible.
Conclusion
Wisdom teeth pain causes much discomfort.