Pain associated with wisdom teeth is one of the most frequently encountered dental issues for patients between 18 to 30 years of age. The 5 frequently asked questions are:
1. What are wisdom teeth?
Wisdom teeth are the furthest and the last teeth to erupt in the jaw. They usually erupt between 16 to 25 years of age. On an average, each person has 4 of these (two in the upper jaw and two in the lower jaw). A very small percentage of people don't have them.
2. Why are wisdom teeth problematic?
It is quite common for wisdom teeth to grow at different angles. This creates a problem in the surrounding teeth and gums. Sometimes, the teeth fail to erupt completely which are called impacted teeth.
Patients may experience symptoms such as pain where the teeth are erupting, pain radiating to the ear, inability to open the mouth, cheek bites and sometimes even low-grade fever. A certain kind of cyst is sometimes associated with such teeth. It becomes mandatory to get the teeth removed if the above-mentioned problems arise.
3. When should you get your wisdom teeth removed?
It is advisable to get the tooth or teeth removed at a younger age. It is also advisable to get these procedures done under aseptic conditions and by a trained dentist.
4. How frequently are these teeth removed?
Removal of the third molars or the wisdom teeth is the most commonly performed oral surgical procedure. A study done in India shows that out of 950 people, 350 people (36%) needed to undergo surgical removal of their third molars.
5. What to expect after the removal of a third molar?
Most of the cases recover after a few days. Patients are advised to eat soft food, avoid spicy food, and take the prescribed medications. Patients are also requested to rinse their mouth often and keep the area clean. Some amount of swelling is anticipated after the removal of wisdom teeth.
In case the patient is experiencing a lot of pain after the removal of wisdom teeth, consulting your doctor immediately is advisable.