12 February 2014

WISDOM TEETH




Wisdom teeth are the third molars, at the back of the mouth.  Sometimes, they can grow into place normally and never cause a problem. However, often there is not enough room for them in the mouth and they might crowd other teeth and even push sideways through the gums.



                         

The signs & symptoms when a wisdom tooth is problematic

*  Pain and swelling of the gum overlying the impaction- due to infection of the operculum


*  Bad breath- origin from infection or food debris building up at the impacted tooth


*  Oozing of pus from the swollen gum area and it will cause bad taste or bad breath

*  Difficult and limited mouth opening


*  Tenderness when chewing/biting

*  Ulcer or pain at the inner cheeks- the cusp tip of impacted tooth may digging into soft tissue or cheeks




*  Earache



Why do they need to be extracted?
This may be necessary for a few reasons:

1.   The wisdom tooth may be partially erupted and infected or decayed.

2. A poorly positioned wisdom tooth may crowd or damage the tooth in front of it.


3. A cyst may have formed around an unerupted wisdom tooth. This destroys the bone surrounding the tooth.