WISDOM TOOTH PROBLEMS

Overview and Facts

Wisdom tooth problems start when your gums break apart and cause a flap in gum tissue to grow over them. As a result, the food becomes trapped and infection of the gum may occur.

Wisdom tooth problems can be painful, can affect other teeth and can result to other dental issues like infections (pericoronitis). When wisdom teeth cannot grow normally and become crowded, it will be hard to clean them and this results to an impacted wisdom tooth.

Each individual have four wisdom teeth and these are the last teeth to come. If a wisdom tooth makes you feel uncomfortable because of the pain, it is recommended that this tooth be extracted immediately by a dentist.

Types and Symptoms

TYPES

Wisdom tooth problems have four types:

HORIZONTAL IMPACTION

The wisdom tooth lies horizontally and is being pushed into the molar next to it. This is an excruciating type of wisdom tooth problem.

DISTAL IMPACTION

This is the least common type of wisdom tooth problem. The molar is angled towards the back of the mouth.

VERTICAL IMPACTION

The molar is in the vertical position and touches the tooth next to it.

MESIAL IMPACTION

The molar is angled towards the front of the mouth.

SYMPTOMS

Problems in wisdom tooth may show the following signs and symptoms:

  • An unpleasant taste in your mouth
  • Bad breath
  • Extreme pain in the back of the mouth
  • Jaw pain
  • Neck and shoulder glands swollen
  • Red or swollen gums
  • Swelling around the jaw
  • Tender or bleeding gums
  • Headaches
  • Partially broken teeth
  • Crowding of other teeth.
  • Difficulty opening your mouth

 

Diagnosis & Medications

DIAGNOSIS

Your dentist will do some tests to diagnose wisdom tooth problems. These include:

  • Checking your medical history
  • Examining your teeth, mouth and gums
  • Dental X-rays

TREATMENT

Treatment for wisdom tooth problems may depend on its severity. For less severe wisdom tooth problems, treatment may include:

Surgery to remove your wisdom tooth is immediately needed if it causes severe complications like infections and extreme pain. It is also done to prevent future dental complications.

Prevention

3 tips to avoid wisdom tooth problems:

  • Maintain good oral hygiene,like brushing, flossing and using mouthwash.
  • Drink plenty of water to help flush mouth bacteria
  • Avoid sugary foods, as they makes bacteria grow easily in the mouth

 

 

Related Articles

TETRALOGY OF FALLOT

Overview and FactsTypes and SymptomsDiagnosis & MedicationsOverview and Facts Tetralogy of Fallot is a congenital heart defect that affects the [...]

TRICHINOSIS

Overview and FactsTypes and SymptomsDiagnosis & MedicationsOverview and Facts Trichinosis, also known as trichinellosis, is a parasitic infection caused by [...]

TRIGEMINAL NEURALGIA

Overview and FactsTypes and SymptomsDiagnosis & MedicationsOverview and Facts Trigeminal neuralgia is a neurological condition characterized by severe facial pain. [...]