Possible Wisdom Teeth Complications
The third molars, also called “wisdom teeth”, are the last teeth to erupt out of your gums, usually between the ages of 16 and 20. Although the dentition is natural, it does not always erupt regularly and may have consequences for the oral structure.
Why can wisdom teeth be crooked?
Despite the reduced need for chewing between our species and our ancestors, the third molar is still present in most people even without having enough space for it. With a smaller arch, the birth of
wisdom can be total or partial, which causes discomfort or complications for most patients.
In which cases is tooth extraction necessary?
In general, it is necessary to extract the tooth when the patient cannot reach the wisdom tooth during oral hygiene, even if the dentition is not sore or causes discomfort in the mouth. Likewise, the dentist needs to extract the wisdom tooth when there is not enough space for the dentition to develop properly in the arch. The professional can perform the surgery when they detect a set of these symptoms:
* Odor in the mouth;
* Swelling in the arches and gums;
* Pain in the back of the mouth when chewing;
* Possibility of caries in the neighboring tooth;
* Pericoronitis;
* some types of headaches and migraines, swollen lymph nodes in the neck or jaw, jaw or ear pain.
What complications arise with a crooked wisdom tooth?
Anomalies with the birth of wisdom teeth generally lead to serious dental diseases and complications, such as gum disease, cavities, pericoronitis, and impacted teeth.
1. Gum disease
Problems with the “judgment tooth” can compromise the health of the gums, as the dentition has difficulty erupting normally, impairing local hygiene and facilitating the
root resorption of neighboring teeth.
2. Cavities
The birth of a crooked wisdom tooth compromises oral hygiene, as it becomes more difficult to clean possible residues between the teeth. Thus, over time, pieces of food
promote the proliferation of bacteria in the mouth, leading to the formation of
bacterial plaque and the emergence of cavities.
3. Pericoronitis
The lack of space for wisdom to erupt can lead to an inflammatory process in the region between the tooth and the gum. The consequence, called pericoronitis, arises when the dentition is still in the bone, compromising the oral balance.
4. Impacted tooth
Impacted tooth or impacted tooth is the name given to the process of the dentition not erupting in the oral cavity in a given period. Generally, the lower wisdom teeth are the most
affected by this anomaly.
In general, some peoples’ wisdom teeth erupt and stay in the mouth with little problems. However, it is very common to have your wisdom teeth removed. Aside from impaction or other issues, wisdom teeth are so far back in your mouth that many people tend to have issues keeping them clean and free of plaque and tartar buildup, which can lead to cavities. Oftentimes, rather than treat cavities in the wisdom teeth, your dentist might recommend just removing the affected teeth.