Wisdom tooth causes thick cheek
A wisdom tooth can cause a thick cheek. The swelling is a sign that the tooth is inflamed. There are certainly different causes for this.
Among other things, an abscess can form around the tooth due to certain germs. An abscess is a pus-filled space that becomes visible in an advanced stage when the cheek protrudes. Extreme caution is required here, as an abscess can spread untreated and lead to serious consequences.
There is also swelling, as the substances released during an inflammatory reaction cause the fluid to escape from the vessels. The fluid then accumulates in the tissue and the tissue swells. You should always consult a doctor.
Wisdom tooth is discoloured black
If a tooth turns black, this may be due to discoloration. This means dark pigments that are deposited on the surface of the tooth. In some stubborn cases, these are difficult to remove.
This cannot be done with a toothbrush, for example, but professional tooth cleaning is recommended. However, the discolouration must be distinguished from caries. Caries also makes the tooth appear dark.
Active caries looks more brown instead of black. Inactive caries often looks black. You can distinguish caries from discolouration, as the enamel is destroyed and decayed by caries.
The final reason for a dark discoloration of a tooth is the death of the nerve. If the tooth is no longer supplied with fresh blood, the colour pigments of the dying tissue migrate into the tooth and stain it dark. This is where root canal treatment or removal of the tooth is appropriate. In either case, a dentist should examine the tooth and then decide whether it can be saved.
Can a wisdom tooth grow back?
Unfortunately teeth cannot grow back in humans. Nor can a wisdom tooth. It is a remnant from the Stone Age, in which people all had one tooth more in their row, that they had bigger jaws and had to chew more to chew their food.
The jaws have receded and our food today is much softer and easier to bite than in the Stone Age. The attachment of the eighth tooth has remained. Regardless of whether it has to be extracted or until old age, how the front teeth remain in the mouth, it is a normal tooth and therefore cannot grow back.
What to do when the wisdom tooth is crosswise?
The axis of the wisdom tooth may deviate from the vertical. As a result, the tooth does not grow straight into the oral cavity and join the row of teeth, but grows crooked in another direction. The wisdom teeth can grow towards the last cheek tooth and damage it due to the contact.
They can also grow backwards or even be tilted so that they grow towards the tongue or cheek. In any case, it is important to consider whether this restricts your ability to chew. If the tooth presses on the neighbouring tooth, it must be removed to protect it and if it breaks out of the gums in such a way that it obstructs the tongue, removal is also induced. If the tooth axis deviates slightly, orthodontic integration of the tooth is recommended.