Is it necessary to remove a wisdom tooth and when should it be done?

• symptoms of wisdom tooth growth,
• what to do if your wisdom tooth is cutting out and your gums are swollen or you have a fever.

The article was written by a dental surgeon with more than 19 years of experience.

The wisdom tooth is located at the very end of the dentition, and therefore it is often called the “figure eight” (the serial numbers of the teeth are assigned starting from the central incisors). Thus, a person has only 4 wisdom teeth - one on each side of the upper and lower jaw. No other teeth cause us so much discomfort and pain when they begin to erupt. It most often occurs between the ages of 18 and 21, but can occur at 14 or 40 years of age.

It is interesting that the incidence of difficult wisdom teeth eruption increases with each generation. This is due to the chewing load, and the fact that people are increasingly eating too soft, overly processed food. As a result, the chewing load that the teeth transmit to the bone tissue of the jaws turns out to be insufficient, which leads to a gradual decrease in the mass and volume of the bone, including a decrease in the length of the lower jaw. As a result, with the same number of teeth, we have less and less space for their eruption.

How a wisdom tooth is cut: photo, x-ray

As a result, competition arises between teeth for a place in the dentition, and those teeth that erupt last are in the most disadvantageous position. Most people are familiar with the fact that when a wisdom tooth is cut, the symptoms of eruption and associated inflammation can cause a lot of inconvenience. And this is not only pain, suppuration or just felt discomfort. If there is not enough space in the dentition, the erupting wisdom teeth put pressure on the teeth in front, moving them to the center of the dentition. It is for this reason that many patients experience crowding of their front teeth over time.

A few facts about wisdom teeth –

Wisdom teeth are the only teeth in which the formation of germs does not occur during intrauterine development, but already in a born child at the age of 4-5 years.
In this case, the crown part of the wisdom tooth completes its formation at the age of 12 years, and the end of the formation of the roots usually occurs no earlier than 24 years. On the x-ray you can see a wisdom tooth whose roots have not yet completed formation (compare with the roots of the 7th tooth in front). Well, the last feature that we talked about above is that the eruption of all other teeth in the permanent dentition occurs in the period from 6 to 13 years, and only the eighth teeth usually begin to erupt no earlier than 18-21 years.

Symptoms of wisdom teeth erupting

Features of growth

Symptoms of the appearance of wisdom teeth

If your wisdom tooth grows incorrectly

How to relieve pain when wisdom teeth erupt

If a wisdom tooth grows during pregnancy

Eights, also known as wisdom teeth or third molars, are the most “problematic” teeth. They are the last to erupt, from about 16 to 30 years of age. At this age, the jaw is already formed, so the eights simply do not have enough space in the dentition, so when they appear, they begin to cause discomfort.

What pathologies cause problems?

There are several common situations that can cause severe pain and the need for your tooth to be removed. These include:

• Incorrect position inside the gum. There can be a lot of location options here. For some clients, teeth grow sideways, while for others, the lights begin to put extreme pressure on adjacent units, potentially even causing noticeable misalignment. The biggest risk in this case is the potential appearance of a malignant tumor, which will have to be operated on. If a wisdom tooth begins to grow crooked, it can no longer be corrected. The only option is deletion.
• Damage to a neighboring unit. In this case, pain will arise not only from the outermost molar, but also from the gradual destruction of the tooth itself. The risks in such a situation are great - it may be necessary to remove both units. We strongly recommend not to let this happen and consult a doctor in advance.
• Inflammation of the gums. A number of patients also experience a spread of the inflammatory process. The reason is the very location of the third molars and their great distance from the rest of the teeth. Inflammation in the gums is dangerous for the entire human body. It can develop into suppuration, the development of facial asymmetry, and general intoxication of the body.

The process of teething itself can also cause discomfort, even if the figure eight grows correctly. Since the dentition is completely renewed at an early age, we often simply forget how unpleasant it is.

Features of growth

Unlike molars, eights do not have milk precursors in their buds. They erupt after the permanent teeth appear. You can see how this happens in the picture.

Eruption of wisdom teeth depending on age

When molars emerge, a crown forms on the third molar. Then, after a few years, roots begin to grow. Only after the wisdom tooth inside has fully formed does it begin to erupt.

Appearance time and quantity

They can erupt at 18, 25, 30, 40 years old, or they may be absent from a person’s jaws throughout his entire life. Usually there are four of them (two at the top and two at the bottom). This is the number that is considered the norm, since together with the rest of its “brothers” it amounts to 32 teeth. However, there may be more wisdom teeth. Some people develop one or two ninth teeth over time, while others

the number of teeth in this group can reach 10! In general, the presence or absence of wisdom teeth, the time of their appearance and the number depend, first of all, on hereditary factors, as well as on the size and shape of the jaws.

It is also interesting that by the age of three, the rudiments of molars begin to form in a person. It is during this period of time that the picture becomes clearer with the further formation of at least one wisdom tooth and the total number of such already embedded teeth. And by about 12 years of age, when all the other molars have already erupted and play an important role in chewing food, the formation of the crown of the wisdom tooth is nearing completion.

Difficulties that arise during the appearance of eights

The main causes of pain

Painful symptoms from wisdom teeth are caused by the anatomical features of the upper and lower jaw, which are already fully formed in a person at the age of 17-25.

As the figure eight begins to grow, it puts pressure on neighboring teeth, bone and soft tissue. The growth process can last for months and even years, so pain manifestations are temporary, periodically fading and exacerbating.

The pain of tooth 8 can be provoked not only by its growth or anatomically incorrect position, but also by the presence of various pathologies, for example, caries, pulpitis, periodontitis or a wide range of infectious diseases. Note! The lack of timely professional help can provoke a worsening of the situation, which will result in the need to remove the diseased tooth and treat complications.

Symptoms of the appearance of wisdom teeth

As a rule, the eruption of figure eights is accompanied by certain symptoms.

Pain in the gums.

It can be different: aching, pulsating or sharp. This all lasts for several days, or maybe the entire time the tooth grows.

Swelling and swelling.

Sometimes during the period of teething, swelling or swelling appears on the gums. In case of severe swelling, which is accompanied by severe pain and fever, it is recommended to consult a doctor.

Increased body temperature.

An abnormally growing wisdom tooth may be accompanied by an increase in temperature. If the values ​​do not go beyond 38 degrees, there is no need to worry - this is the norm. If the readings are higher, you should make an appointment with your dentist.

A sore throat.

Occurs during an infectious process. During teething, the mucous membrane is very vulnerable, so during this period it is necessary to devote more time to hygiene in order to avoid infection.

What to do in such a situation

If you experience the symptoms listed above, you should consult a specialist as soon as possible. At the appointment, the dentist will examine your mouth and take an x-ray.

The x-ray clearly shows how the tooth grows and how much pressure it puts on its neighbors. Based on the results, several actions can be assigned:

• Cutting the gums to facilitate the teething process.
• Prescribing special medications to relieve inflammation.
• Complete removal.

An adjacent unit may also need to be treated or removed if it has been severely damaged.

If your wisdom tooth grows incorrectly

Complications often arise when figure eights are cut out incorrectly.

• Flux is a purulent inflammation of the periosteum.
• Cellulitis is a purulent inflammation, which is accompanied by an increase in temperature to 39 degrees and swelling of the face.
• Osteomyelitis is an inflammatory disease that affects bone tissue. Main symptoms: fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea.

If unpleasant symptoms occur, it is recommended to make an appointment with a dentist-surgeon. He will assess the condition of the tooth and help avoid the risks of complications. You can make an appointment with our specialists by calling: 220-86-30.

How long does it take to cut through a figure eight?

The duration of wisdom tooth growth is influenced by many factors. On average, it takes about 2-3 years from the appearance of the first signs to complete eruption. The speed at which a tooth is released from the gum depends on both the size of the jaw and its location in it. Vertical “eights”, if there is free space, fully grow in 1-2 years. Horizontal and slanted units on a small jaw may take 2-5 years to release. Considering that each of the 4 wisdom teeth can begin to grow at different times, the appearance of all of them can take up to 10 years.

How to relieve pain when wisdom teeth erupt

The easiest way to get rid of unpleasant symptoms is to take over-the-counter painkillers.

• To relieve pain and fever: Nurofen, Ibuprofen, Nimesulide, Paracetamol.
• To eliminate pain: “Spazmalgon”, “Ketanov”, “Analgin”, “Pentalgin”, etc.
• Antiseptics to relieve symptoms and prevent complications: Miramistin, Chlorhexidine, Furacilin, etc.
• For local pain relief: “Kamistad”, “Kalgel”, “Cholisal”.

You can use folk remedies.

• Rinse solution made from salt and soda. Dissolve 1 teaspoon of salt and soda in a glass of warm water. It is recommended to rinse your mouth no more than 3 times a day.
• Rinse solution made from propolis tincture. Stir 7-8 drops of tincture in a glass of warm water. The solution is also a natural antiseptic.
• Cold compress. Under no circumstances should it be hot - heat may cause inflammation.
• Sage decoction. Pour 1 tablespoon of sage into a glass of boiling water, leave for an hour, strain. You can rinse until relief occurs.

Relieving pain during wisdom tooth eruption is only a short-term solution. A competent consultation with a doctor will help you cope with pain and possible complications.

Post-operative care

After wisdom tooth removal, many patients experience severe pain for several days. Painful sensations affect not only the jaw, but also spread to the head, throat, and ear. You can take painkillers for three days, but if the pain does not go away, you should seek help from a specialist.

To alleviate the condition after surgery, you must follow these recommendations:

• When a wisdom tooth is removed, it is forbidden to touch the site of its removal with your tongue or fingers for 4 hours after the operation.
• After removing the “eight”, you need to apply a cold compress to your cheek every 20 minutes throughout the day. Such actions will reduce the intensity of pain and relieve inflammation.
• After the operation, it is forbidden to eat for the next 3 hours, and during the day, avoid drinking alcohol and stop smoking.
• Avoid excessive activity of facial expressions for several days.

In rare cases, a wisdom tooth after removal can cause the development of sore throat and inflammation of the tonsils. For such complications, special therapy is required.

This article is for informational purposes only, please consult your doctor for details!

Other publications:

• How to brush your teeth correctly?
• The period of changing teeth in a baby: diagram, approximate timing of the process of tooth loss in babies, advice from a doctor on caring for the oral cavity.

If a wisdom tooth grows during pregnancy

If the eights began to grow during pregnancy, then the expectant mother should make an appointment with a doctor. This will help protect the baby from negative consequences and significantly improve the well-being of the pregnant woman. If there are unpleasant symptoms (improper position, pain, inflammation), the dentist may recommend removing the wisdom tooth. In this case, it is better to do this in the second trimester, when the operation will not harm either the mother or the child. At other times, it is not recommended to carry out any procedures unless there is a threat to the health of the woman and baby.

Impacted third molars

• Lack of space leads to abnormal placement of the tooth in the jaw arch. Impacted teeth can grow towards the cheek and constantly injure its mucous membrane.
• In the absence of an antagonist in the opposite jaw, they cause serious malocclusion, ultimately leading to imbalance of the masticatory muscles, pinched nerve endings, dysfunction of the temporomandibular joint and even neurological disorder.
• A tooth that does not come out of the bone often provokes the formation of a follicular cyst, which does not manifest itself for a long time. This is explained by the presence of remnants of a follicle around it, the cells of which, for as yet unknown reasons, begin to multiply. The roots of the adjacent molar often get into the lumen of the cyst. This leads to necrosis of their pulp and necessitates the treatment of pulpitis and depulpation of the tooth.
• The third molar can put pressure on the roots of the second, causing headaches, soreness in the ear or throat.