Why does wisdom teeth sometimes have to be removed? & bull; hello healthy

You may have experienced wisdom tooth extraction yourself. Or maybe you just don't know whether your wisdom teeth have grown or not. What is clear, teeth that have grown lately are usually always synonymous with pain when they appear.

What are wisdom teeth?

Wisdom teeth, or third molars, are the last teeth to grow. These teeth usually grow when you are 17-20 years old. About 90% of people aged 20 years have at least 3 wisdom teeth that have grown, and the remaining 1 wisdom tooth that has not yet grown or has only grown partially. Wisdom teeth can appear until you are 30 years old.

Apart from growing later, these wisdom teeth also have characteristics that are somewhat different from your other teeth. Sometimes, you even have to do wisdom teeth surgery.

7 facts about wisdom teeth

1. There are 4 wisdom teeth in general. Only 2% of all people in the world are born without wisdom teeth.
2. Wisdom teeth can cause problems if they grow crookedly.
3. In the wisdom teeth there are stem cells aka stem cells that can be of great use to you for various treatments.
4. Wisdom tooth extraction will not hurt if accompanied by sufficient sedative. However, the recovery process was painful. Pain during this recovery process can last for days or even weeks. Follow your dentist's advice so you can be pain free as soon as possible.
5. Research is currently being conducted to find out why many people end up having wisdom tooth surgery. This research was conducted to prevent these wisdom teeth from growing simultaneously.
6. Wisdom tooth pain is the most common reason adults see a dentist. The dentist will then look at your wisdom teeth, the gums around the wisdom teeth, and other teeth next to the wisdom teeth. Your dentist can also check your wisdom teeth by checking the lymph nodes in your neck to see if there is swelling inside or outside your mouth.
7. X-rays are often used to check wisdom teeth. X-rays are used to check for infection in your wisdom teeth, in the roots and in the tissue around your wisdom teeth. X-rays can also visualize the shape and position of the roots of wisdom teeth in your jawbone.

When do wisdom teeth have to be removed?

Wisdom teeth are the most commonly extracted teeth. The following are problems that often cause your wisdom teeth to be extracted:

1. Pericoronitis

Pericoronitis is inflammation of the tissue surrounding a partially grown wisdom tooth. About 95% of pericoronitis occurs in mandibular wisdom teeth. Because wisdom teeth are not the teeth necessary for biting food, they are usually extracted.

Signs that often appear when you have acute pericoronitis are swollen gums around your wisdom teeth, pain and a bad taste in your mouth. in more serious cases, you may have a fever, pus in the tissue associated with your wisdom tooth, and difficulty opening your mouth due to swelling of your gums.

Pericoronitis usually occurs when wisdom teeth start to grow. Pericoronitis rarely occurs in people over 30 years of age.

2. Dental caries, pulpitis, and tooth root infections

Dental caries is a common problem, especially in wisdom teeth. If left untreated, dental caries can cause pulpitis, which is inflammation around the tooth pulp.

Pulpitis can make your teeth feel sore and throbbing. Pulpitis can touch the tooth pulp and if left untreated it can cause tooth root infection (or what is often called apical periodontitis). This root tooth infection is one of the most frequent reasons why wisdom teeth are extracted.

3. Periodontitis

Periodontitis damages the tissue and bone that supports teeth and can cause teeth to fall out. The most sensible treatment for this problem is by removing these teeth or by replacing these teeth with dentures.

Signs of pain in wisdom teeth

Light signs

• Problem: pericoronitis
• Symptoms: toothache or mild swelling in the gum tissue around the wisdom tooth
• Self-medication: use mouthwash containing chlorhexidine for two weeks
• Serious cases: if these signs persist, come to the dentist for further treatment

Moderate signs

• Problems: pericoronitis, dental caries, or pulpitis
• Symptoms: toothache or swelling in the gum tissue around wisdom teeth
• Self-medication: medications such as ibuprofen that are intended to reduce pain and swelling
• Serious case: go to the dentist for further treatment

Serious signs

• Problem: pericoronitis or tooth root infection
• Signs: serious swelling, strange taste in mouth, fever, swollen cheeks or throat, difficulty opening your mouth
• Self-medication: medications such as ibuprofen that are intended to reduce pain and swelling
• Serious cases: immediately see your dentist for further treatment

How to treat and prevent pain in wisdom teeth

Treatment for wisdom teeth varies depending on the problem. But for wisdom teeth prevention, frequent toothbrush or keeping your teeth clean is the key.

Wisdom teeth are a bit difficult to brush because of their location in the mouth at the very back. As a result, these teeth are easily perforated. Especially if these wisdom teeth have only grown partially, they will be increasingly difficult to clean because some of these teeth are still in the gums.

If it is difficult to brush your wisdom teeth with a regular toothbrush, try using a smaller toothbrush or a child's toothbrush. Using a mouthwash that contains fluoride can also help, especially if you are having a little trouble brushing your wisdom teeth. If you go to the dentist, your dentist can also clean your wisdom teeth and administer antibiotics.