Impacted Wisdom Tooth Removal

Wisdom teeth are third molars that generally erupt between the age of 17 to 25.

These molars sometimes become impacted , which means it is not able to erupt normally out of the gums and locked in.

This impaction can be partial or complete .

All impacted teeth are not troublesome but some may cause painful symptoms which makes a dentist appointment necessary.

Treatment usually consists of the removal of impacted wisdom teeth.

What causes my impacted wisdom teeth ?

Causes :

1. Lack of space- As the third molars grow, there may not be sufficient space in the jaw for them to grow naturaaly.

2. The jaw may be small to fit in the wisdom teeth or the other teeth are all already crowded that makes the later difficult to erupt into normal position.

3. Abnormal position - Sometimes, the third molars may be tilted at a different angle which makes them difficult to grow .

Related : Wisdom tooth home remedies

How do i know i have an impacted wisdom teeth ?

Symptoms of impacted wisdom teeth :

• Pain in the gums surrounding teeth

• Red and swollen gums

• Food accumulating near partially impacted teeth

• Difficulty opening the mouth

• Pain radiating to head, ear and neck region.

• Bad breath

• Swelling in the jaw and base of the mouth

Related : Tooth Removal Cost

How is an impacted teeth troublesome for me ?

Problems of impacted wisdom teeth:

Sometimes the impaction is partial which means gums cover the tooth partially , which can lead to

• Food impaction below the gums covering teeth

• Pain and swelling in the gums leading to infections which is commonly called PERICORONITIS.

• Decay in partially impacted teeth

• Damage to nearby teeth

  Related : What is PERICORONITIS

What can i do at home for an impacted wisdom teeth ?

HOME REMEDIES:

• Rinse with warm salt water 2-3 times a day to soothe pain

• Use an antiseptic mouthwash like chlorhexidine to gargle

• Apply cold pack to relieve swelling and pain

How is my wisdom tooth removed ?

TREATMENT :

• Wisdom tooth which gives continuous discomfort and trouble need to be treated by a dentist .

• Most impacted tooth are usually extracted to relieve symptoms .

• Wisdom tooth extraction is a simple surgical procedure which your dentist performs after assessing your general medical condition and radiographs taken for the mouth.

SURGICAL EXTRACTION:

1. Dentists usually prescribe antibiotics and painkillers before and after extraction to ease out the healing process.

2. Local anesthetic is injected near the tooth for numbness and the procedure is carried out by making an incision in the gums to expose the tooth .

3. Bone around the tooth is removed and tooth is extracted.

4. The wound is closed with sutures and gauze is placed to control bleeding.

Post surgical care: ( RECOVERY AFTER WISDOM TOOTH EXTRACTION )

• Avoid excessive spiting after extraction to prevent dislodging of blood clot

• Eat soft and cold foods for the first 24 hours and avoid spicy and hot foods

• Take your medications as prescribed by your dentist

• Use ice packs to reduce swelling of cheeks which improves in two or three days

• Do not brush, spit or rinse for the first day after surgery

CONCLUSION:

Neither an impacted teeth nor its extraction is going to freak you out .

Keeping regular dental visits once in every six months can help you keep track of the wisdom tooth and reach out for help at the right time !