All the wisdom for your wisdom teeth

With age not only do you get wisdom..... But, also wisdom teeth. They are known as wisdom teeth because generally erupt around 17-23 years of age. These teeth are the last permanent teeth to erupt in the mouth. When properly erupted in the mouth, they can aid in chewing along with the other two molars.

Major issue with wisdom teeth

The major issue with the eruption of wisdom teeth is the lack of space in the jaw. This may result in

Wisdom tooth not erupting in the jaw

This can occur when there is absolutely no space in the jaw for the tooth to surface. IF by the age of 21 you do not have a single wisdom tooth erupted get an x-ray done to check The tooth has formed: rarely, the tooth might not have formed and be absent The position of the tooth in the jaw: the inclination of the tooth relative to the surface of the jaw determines if the tooth can erupt or not Presence of any structure around the tooth that is hampering its eruption: At times the presence of a cyst (a fluid filled blob that surrounds the tooth partially or completely) or calcifications can block the eruption of tooth.

Some part of your wisdom teeth is seen in the mouth (partial eruption)

In this case a small part of the tooth can be seen in the jaw which is generally below the level of the adjacent tooth and is covered in some part with gums. Being present at the most posterior and inaccessible part of the mouth and at a lower position than the adjacent tooth makes it an easy spot for food to get stuck. This clubbed with the overlapping gums makes it an ideal site for bacteria to grow. The bacterial colonies then not only cause cavities and plaque formation, but can also cause pus filled infections in the overlapping gums. The infection causes redness and swelling in the gums which can spread to other parts of the mouth or can be bitten on by the opposing tooth causing further pain and infection

The tooth erupts in a misaligned position

If there isn’t enough space in the jaw for the tooth to erupt it at times erupts either tilted towards the cheek (more common in upper wisdom teeth) or backwards. This misalignment generally causes cheek-biting which can get painful and lead to the formation of ulcers in that area. In the long run it can result in a white line on the cheek due to repeated cuts in the same area.

Treatment for problematic wisdom teeth

The most common treatment is the removal of the wisdom tooth. The reasons being

Before making any decisions, take an x-ray. Not sure you require any treatment for your wisdom tooth? Know here Want to know other treatment options for the same? Upload your X-rays here Keeping Your Wisdom Teeth? Wisdom teeth that are not removed should be monitored regularly for the potential of developing problems later on. Floss around the wisdom teeth and keep it clean.

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