Introduction
Everyone has heard about the wisdom teeth. Many people often do not even know whether they have any or even how many, because the wisdom teeth often remain under the mucous membrane of the mouth and do not protrude into the oral cavity. At the latest when one of the teeth causes problems, or when the wisdom teeth are discussed with the orthodontist, one knows. As a rule, one can have up to four wisdom teeth. They are also called “eights” among dentists because they are the eighth teeth in a row when you start counting from the middle, i.e. the back molars.
Eruption of the wisdom teeth
The formation of the wisdom teeth begins in the seventh to ninth year of life. This is quite late, for example, when we look at the beginning of the formation of the first molar, which starts at birth. Between the ages of 17 and 21, the wisdom teeth usually break through the gums and by the age of 25 at the latest, root growth should be complete.
Then the tooth is completely formed. However, many wisdom teeth do not reach this stage and the breakthrough is often delayed, which can have various reasons. If the breakthrough does not occur, this is no exception.
Often the wisdom teeth remain hidden under the gums or even completely enclosed by the bone. This can have a variety of causes, which is why you should visit your dentist to get a professional opinion. Even if the wisdom tooth breaks through, you should go to the dentist.
The dentist can assess the condition of the tooth and can see whether the tooth is intact, whether the tooth will integrate into the dental arch by itself, whether it needs “orthodontic support” or whether it even needs to be extracted. If it fits into the row of teeth by itself, there is still nothing to consider. Since the wisdom tooth, like all other teeth, can get caries, you should make sure to brush it well as soon as the tooth surface protrudes into the oral cavity. If the wisdom tooth has no counterpart in the other jaw, it can also grow over the row of teeth and then interfere with chewing. In this case it must be removed.
Diseases of the wisdom tooth
Often the wisdom teeth become noticeable in teenagers and young adults. The reason for this is that root growth is only completed between the ages of 18 and 25. Up to this age the tooth still grows and there can be oppressive pain during growth.
If the tooth breaks through the gums, caries can also develop on a wisdom tooth and the tooth nerve can be irritated by penetrating germs. In addition to the oppressive pain caused by growth, which can also radiate as a headache, there is therefore the “normal” toothache. Even wisdom teeth that have not broken through can be infected through their neighbouring teeth.
Inflammations are recognizable by a throbbing pain, redness, swelling and the warming of the surrounding tissue. It is then necessary to visit the dentist who, with the help of various diagnostic measures, can find out the cause of the inflammation and assess whether extraction of the tooth is necessary. Like any other tooth, a wisdom tooth, or the dental nerve and surrounding tissue can become inflamed.
There are several reasons for this. First of all, it depends on how far the tooth has penetrated into the oral cavity. Does it stand normally in the dental arch?
Then the reasons for an inflammation look the same as for any other tooth. A possible cause is the classic caries. If it penetrates deep enough into the tooth, it can infect the nerve through the bacteria that then penetrate it, and an inflammation with the associated pain can occur.
Even a wisdom tooth, which is still under the mucous membrane, can get caries. This is possible if the mucous membrane has a gap through which the bacteria can reach the tooth. This is often the case when the root of the neighbouring tooth is in direct contact with the wisdom tooth.
The invading germs are then simply transmitted directly and cause caries or inflammatory processes around the wisdom tooth. A possible cause is the classic caries. If it penetrates deep enough into the tooth, it can infect the nerve through the bacteria that then penetrate it and an inflammation with the associated pain can occur.
Even a wisdom tooth, which is still under the mucous membrane, can get caries. This is possible if the mucous membrane has a gap through which the bacteria can reach the tooth. This is often the case when the root of the neighbouring tooth is in direct contact with the wisdom tooth.
The invading germs are then simply transmitted directly and cause caries or inflammatory processes around the wisdom tooth. Like any other tooth, the wisdom tooth can get caries. Even the wisdom tooth, which is still under the gum, can get caries if it is connected to germs through the adjacent tooth, for example.
Tooth decay always occurs when the tooth is demineralised by acids over a longer period of time. The plaque that forms on the tooth from food residues, among other things, provides a good environment for bacteria to adhere to the tooth and convert sugar into acid. These acids draw minerals out of the tooth and thus weaken the enamel.
If the tooth is not cleaned well, which is often the case with wisdom teeth, because they are so far back in the mouth that it is difficult for the toothbrush to reach them, this process, which weakens the tooth, can go on and on and in the long run causes caries, i.e. a “hole in the tooth”. If the wisdom tooth is positioned normally in the row of teeth, the caries can be removed as usual and the hole can then be closed with a filling material. Bleeding at the wisdom tooth can occur especially after the removal.
Depending on the course of the operation and the condition of the patient, the wound may start bleeding even days after the operation. If it does not stop on its own, you should contact your dentist. The same applies if bleeding occurs on the remaining tooth for no apparent reason.
Is it gum bleeding? Just as one experiences it with other teeth, a local inflammation of the gums may have formed on the wisdom tooth. In this case, special hygiene must be observed and the dentist must also be consulted for an assessment.
The gums can also become inflamed on the wisdom tooth. If the dentist can insert a probe (a specific measuring instrument) deep between the tooth and the gums, this is called a gum pocket. It occurs when plaque remains on the tooth over a longer period of time and the bacteria and germs associated with it irritate the gums.
Their metabolic products cause the gums to become inflamed and swollen. In the further course of time, the gums detach slightly from the tooth, which is normally in a firm bond with it, and a gap develops. This is where the bacteria and germs can then spread further.
The gums are red and swollen and it hurts when brushing your teeth. You should definitely see a dentist who cleans the pocket with special instruments. You should also make sure that you brush your teeth thoroughly at home to keep the number of germs as low as possible. This way the pocket can usually heal again. It is therefore not absolutely necessary to remove the wisdom tooth immediately.
