Wisdom teeth refer to the four back molars or back molars that grow on both sides of the upper and lower jaws. They are the last teeth to appear in the mouth, usually in the late teens or early twenties. Wisdom teeth usually erupt from the gums without any symptoms. Some people may experience pain or tenderness, especially if there isn’t enough room in the mouth for them to grow, or if they grow at odd angles. If you feel your wisdom teeth growing in, you may want to see your dentist to make sure there aren’t any problems as they grow.
Recognize Early Symptoms
Don’t expect to have symptoms. If wisdom teeth have fully erupted from the gums, are appropriately spaced from other teeth, and are in the right location, they usually do not cause pain or inflammation and do not need to be removed. Only when they do not fully germinate, lack enough space to grow, grow crookedly, or are infected will they cause problems and require more attention.
- Not everyone gets wisdom teeth. Sometimes they are completely hidden in the gums and bone, or they grow only partially.
- The American Dental Association recommends that people ages 16 to 19 have their wisdom teeth evaluated by a dentist.
- After the age of 18, the longer the wisdom teeth stay in the mouth, the more complete the development of the tooth roots. If there is a problem, it will be more difficult to remove.
Watch for gum or jaw pain. Even wisdom teeth that erupt normally from the gums can cause mild symptoms. Pay attention to any slight pain, pressure, or dull throbbing in your gums or jaw near the entrance to your throat. Erupting teeth can irritate the sensitive tissue that makes up the gums (called gingiva). If your wisdom teeth grow crowded or crooked, they will dig into the sensitive gum tissue, causing you more pain. Pain is very subjective. What is mild pain to some may be intolerable to others. The point is that some pain is unavoidable when wisdom teeth erupt, so wait at least a few days before going to the dentist again.
- Wisdom teeth usually grow in fits and starts, so you may have to deal with the pain for several days every three to five months. The growth of wisdom teeth affects the position of other teeth on the bone, and you may notice a change in the position of your teeth.
- If wisdom teeth don’t grow properly, they may become trapped in your bone or affect your jawbone. This increases the risk of infection (see below).
- If you have a habit of clenching or grinding your teeth, the pain of erupting wisdom teeth may worsen at night.
- Chewing gum may also worsen pain caused by wisdom teeth.
Watch for redness and swelling. Wisdom teeth can also cause red and swollen gums. You can feel the gum swelling with your tongue. When inflamed, chewing food can become difficult or uncomfortable. You can face a mirror and shine a small flashlight into your mouth. Wisdom teeth are the last teeth in each row. Look for the top of the tooth (the cusp or crown) that emerges from the gums and see if the tissue around it looks redder or swollen than the rest of the tooth (called gingivitis). The swelling usually goes away in about a week.
- You may see some blood around the protruding wisdom teeth, or the saliva may be stained red. This is relatively rare, but it can happen. Gum disease, canker sores, or trauma to the mouth can also cause bleeding.
- You may see a “gingival flap” on your wisdom tooth, which is called a pericoronal flap. This is normal and usually does not cause any problems.
- When your back gum tissue (gum) is swollen, it may be difficult to open your mouth. You may need to take liquid food through a straw for a few days.
- Swallowing may also become difficult. Your dentist may prescribe anti-inflammatory medication for you to take for a few days.
- The lower wisdom teeth are close to the tonsils, which may swell and make you feel like you have a cold or a sore throat.
Recognize Later Symptoms
Watch for symptoms of infection. Wisdom teeth that are only partially erupted (also called impacted teeth) and wisdom teeth that are crooked greatly increase the risk of infection. Impacted teeth and crooked wisdom teeth will create a small space under the pericoronal valve, and this small space will be a breeding ground for bacteria to accumulate and multiply. Common symptoms of infected wisdom teeth include swollen gums, severe pain, mild fever, swollen lymph nodes in the neck and jaw edges, pus around the inflamed tissue, bad breath, and bad breath.
- Infected wisdom teeth usually cause a dull pain that lasts, and occasionally a sharp stinging sensation.
- The pus is off-white in color and is made up of the immune system’s white blood cells. Once an infection occurs in the body, these special cells come to the site of infection to kill bacteria. After these cells die, pus forms.
- Bad breath can also be caused by rotten food particles under the pericoronary valve.
Check if the front teeth have become crooked. Sometimes, even if a wisdom tooth curves and grows inside the jaw and becomes an impacted tooth, it may not cause pain or other obvious symptoms. However, after a period of time or even weeks, they begin to press against other teeth, causing them to shift and become uneven. This “domino effect” can eventually affect the teeth that appear when you smile, making them look distorted or crooked. If you notice that your front teeth have suddenly become crooked or uneven, compare your current smile with previous photos to get an idea.
- If your wisdom teeth are severely crowding other teeth, your dentist may recommend that they be removed.
- Once the wisdom teeth are removed, the other crooked teeth will naturally straighten again within weeks or months.
Long-term pain and swelling are not normal. Although short-term tolerable pain and inflammation are normal during wisdom tooth growth, long-term pain and swelling are not normal. Wisdom teeth that have grown sufficiently above the gum line usually do not cause pain or swelling that lasts for several weeks. Severe pain and inflammation that lasts for weeks are more common with wisdom teeth that remain in the jawbone. Impacted wisdom teeth that cause severe or chronic symptoms should be removed.
- People with small jaws or mouths are more likely to develop impacted wisdom teeth, which can cause severe pain and swelling.
- Although impacted wisdom teeth do not cause any immediate symptoms, they can cause long-term pain by eroding other teeth or surrounding gum tissue.
- When to visit the dentist depends on your pain tolerance and tolerance. Generally speaking, if the pain keeps you from sleeping for more than three to five days without medication, it’s best to get your teeth checked.
Coping with Symptoms
Use your fingers to massage or apply cold compresses to your gums. Gently massage the soft gums back and forth or in circular motions with clean, sterilized fingers to temporarily relieve pain. Be careful not to rub too hard to avoid damaging or damaging the pericoronary valve and causing greater irritation, swelling, or bleeding. If you can tolerate ice, use a small ice cube to combat inflammation and relieve pain. You may feel the ice is very cold at first, but after about five minutes, the tissue around your wisdom teeth will become numb and begin to adapt to the temperature. Apply ice three to five times a day or whenever needed.
- Cut your nails short and wipe your fingers with rubbing alcohol to disinfect them and prevent bacteria from transferring to your gums. Poor hygiene can worsen the condition of infected wisdom teeth.
- Ask your dentist to recommend a desensitizing cream or ointment that you can use to massage red and swollen gums.
- Applying cold compresses and sucking on frozen foods such as popsicles, sorbets, or ice cream can also help soothe sore gums.
Take over-the-counter anti-inflammatory or pain relievers. Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) is a great anti-inflammatory that can combat the pain and swelling caused by wisdom teeth. Acetaminophen (brand name Tylenol) is a very effective pain reliever and fever reducer that can fight fever symptoms, but it does not fight inflammation. Adults can only take up to 3,000 mg of ibuprofen and acetaminophen per day. It is best to check the drug instructions before taking them.
- Long-term or excessive use of ibuprofen can irritate and damage the stomach and kidneys, so this medication should be taken after a meal.
- Taking too much acetaminophen is toxic to the body and can damage the liver. Do not drink alcohol while taking acetaminophen.
Use antibacterial mouthwash. Using antiseptic or antibacterial mouthwash can help treat or prevent gum and tooth infections and pain. For example, using chlorhexidine mouthwash can help relieve swelling and pain and protect your mouth from infection. Ask your dentist or pharmacist about appropriate over-the-counter products. No matter which brand of mouthwash you choose, keep the mouthwash in your mouth for at least 30 seconds, and try to rotate the mouthwash to the innermost part of the mouth to contact the place where the wisdom teeth grow.
- Rinsing around the pericoronal valve with mouthwash can also help remove stuck food particles or plaque.
- Add half a teaspoon of table or sea salt to a cup of warm water for a natural and inexpensive antibacterial mouthwash. Rinse your mouth with it for 30 seconds, then spit it out. Repeat three to five times a day, or as needed.
- Gargling with dilute vinegar, fresh lemon juice, dilute hydrogen peroxide or a few drops of iodine in water can all be effective in fighting oral infections.
- Absinthe tea can also be effective in helping to fight gum inflammation.
Tips
- We don’t use our wisdom teeth to chew food. The other molars and premolars are sufficient to break down food in the mouth.
- If your wisdom teeth develop symptoms while they are growing, have your dentist order an X-ray. X-rays can show whether the wisdom teeth are severely impacted, compressing nerves, or affecting other teeth.