You may have heard of people complaining about friends or family members talking about their “wisdom teeth.” What are wisdom teeth, and do you need them removed as a child or adult?
What Are Wisdom Teeth?
Wisdom teeth are the third molars located in the back of your mouth. They usually start coming in when you reach late-teens to early adulthood. Sometimes, wisdom teeth may come in after turning 20 years old.
As with other teeth, there is a point system that determines whether or not these extra molars should be present:
- Four points -Have it removed
- Three points -Have it removed if causing problems
- Two points -Have it removed if causing problems
What Problems Does Having Your Wisdom Teeth Effect?
Several potential complications can arise from having wisdom teeth. The following list describes some common issues:
- Negative impact on speaking and eating
- Development of cysts around the jaw
- Pain in your ear, head, or face
- Swelling in your gums or cheek
Some people may not experience any symptoms at all. If you do notice any complications, contact your dentist immediately to schedule an appointment for an exam.
How Much Does Wisdom Teeth Removal Cost?
Wisdom teeth are the third and final molars that most people get in their lifetime. These can appear as late as age 25; however, many people have them removed before erupting. Often, they don’t need to be pulled, but a patient needs all four wisdom teeth out a few times a year because they’ve failed to emerge or become impacted.
The average cost for this procedure is $1,130–$1,800 per tooth. This includes removal of the tooth and any surgical site care. On average, it takes about one hour for the surgery. These costs do not include anesthesia fees which usually run an additional $200 per tooth. In some cases, the price may be higher depending on complications arising during the surgery.
Wisdom Teeth: Symptoms and Reasons for Removal
Following are the signs that will stress the removal of wisdom teeth.
- Tooth Pain
- Swelling
- Impacted Teeth
- Infections
- Cavities
- Shifting Teeth
- Sensitive Gums
- Sinus Pain
- Cysts
Tooth Pain
Sensitivity to heat and cold, taste changes, pain when chewing, swelling of the gums, bleeding, dull ache at the surgery site, or draining fluid. These are just some of the patients’ experiences after wisdom teeth removal.
Wisdom teeth are often called third molars because they appear so late in life. They normally grow between ages 17 and 25 but may show up as late as 30. Only about 2% of adults have four wisdom teeth or three out of four impacted wisdom teeth. Almost 10% will have one or two impacted wisdom teeth.
The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS) recommends that people who do not need to remove their wisdom teeth should have them monitored every six months. The AAOMS also recommends regular dental checkups and cleanings at least twice a year to prolong the health of your teeth and gums.
Swelling
“Swelling following wisdom teeth surgery is a normal part of the healing process and should not cause concern. You must take all necessary precautions to avoid worsening your condition.”
We must take extra precautions if you have experienced infection following wisdom teeth removal surgery. As a result, fever, chills, and severe pain can develop.
Impacted Teeth
Often, wisdom teeth don’t come in completely. Sometimes they remain partially or entirely hidden under the gum line. When they do this, they have impacted teeth, which can cause a lot of problems.
The same pockets of decay and infection mentioned previously can occur in partially emergent wisdom teeth. There is also a possibility that cysts will begin to form around them inside your jaw.
Infections
Your wisdom teeth may become infected if you develop an infection in your gums around them. The area may be painful, red, oozing, or smell unpleasant. Infection in the mouth is not something you want to have.
An infection in the mouth is unpleasant, but it can also be dangerous. A blood infection could cause you to go into septic shock, a life-threatening condition. Since your mouth contains so many blood vessels, it is a great place for sepsis to take hold.
Cavities
Cavities have been a topic of discussion for a long time. Our teeth can rot away if we don’t brush properly, leaving the soft pulp of our teeth vulnerable to injury. We could have a root canal without treatment if the tooth rots completely.
Brush and floss your teeth to prevent cavities, but how will you brush your wisdom teeth? The back of your mouth is too far back for us to reach, and we may have to hide them under your gums. As a result, your wisdom teeth are more likely to develop cavities.
Shifting Teeth
You would remember the pain and long years of work it took to get your teeth aligned if you had braces as a teenager. As your wisdom teeth erupt, you may start to notice that alignment shifting. If you wear one, you may have difficulty getting your retainer in, and you may notice your teeth moving forward if you do not.
This is because most people’s jaws aren’t big enough to hold all thirty-two of their teeth. Bigger jaws give us wisdom teeth. When your teeth push through your mouth, they can move around, undoing years of orthodontic treatment.
Sensitive Gums
As your wisdom teeth erupt, you may notice that your gums are becoming more sensitive. Depending on where you chew and where you brush, you may have to avoid certain areas of your mouth. If your gums are swollen, it may be a sign that you haven’t been brushing enough.
Another symptom of those mouth infections we discussed is sensitive gums. The main problem will persist even when you gargle with warm saltwater. Those teeth will get infected, and you can’t fight it forever.
Sinus Pain
Perhaps you’ve noticed that you’re getting a lot more sinus headaches lately. Your cheeks, forehead, nose, and other sinus cavities may feel clogged. You might be surprised to learn that these issues can be linked to your wisdom teeth.
Most of us don’t realize that the tops of our wisdom teeth are adjacent to our sinus cavities. Your teeth can press and rub on your sinuses as they move and develop. Pressure, pain, and congestion can result.
Jaw Pain
The pain in your teeth and sinuses may be accompanied by pain in your jaw. You may be experiencing this due to the strain on your space and the shifting of your teeth. The cysts that can form inside your jaw and cause this may be a bigger part of the problem.
You may develop pockets of infection around your wisdom teeth if they are trapped beneath your gums. At first, we may not notice these infections until they begin to eat away at your jawbone and tissue. It’s often too late by then if you notice any pain or nerve damage.
