The eruption of wisdom teeth is the sign of maturity and reaching a certain age. Since they are not set in place, it does not have to affect everyone. While some have no problems at all, many others suffer from wisdom tooth pain and have to undergo wisdom tooth surgery.
What is wisdom tooth pain?
Wisdom teeth are the rearmost teeth in the upper and lower jaws. They are located in the eighth place, counting from the middle. Wisdom teeth are the rearmost teeth in the upper and lower jaws. They are located in the eighth place, counting from the center. The wisdom tooth is the last tooth to emerge from the jaw in young people. In about 20 percent of people, there is no predisposition for wisdom teeth. In them, the teeth never erupt. The average age at which wisdom teeth erupt is between 16 and 20 years. In some people they erupt slowly to the surface, in some they remain in the jaw and do not grow further. Especially In some cases, affected people have pain on the wisdom teeth that do not come to the surface.
Causes
Wisdom teeth have great differences in terms of their shape compared to the rest of human teeth. Due to their size, they have too little space in the jaw. Especially in the lower jaw, the lack of space can cause eruption problems. Tooth eruption displaces the remaining teeth, which can cause pain. Inflammation also triggers pain. Inflammation can occur in the gums when the wisdom tooth or its roots press against another tooth. Inflammation in the maxillary sinus is also possible. Furthermore, pain can be caused by cysts formed by the wisdom tooth. Slanted wisdom teeth that have only partially emerged create dirt niches that are difficult to clean and are easily prone to inflammation. Caries in the wisdom tooth or problems of the wisdom tooth roots are also triggers for pain. If a patient suffers from pain, the affected wisdom tooth must be removed during orthodontic surgery.
Diseases with this symptom
- Caries
- Gum inflammation
- Tooth root inflammation
Symptoms, complaints and signs
Several factors can trigger wisdom teeth pain. These include: Lack of space in the upper or lower jaw, inflammation in the tooth area, the gums or in the maxillary sinus, an oblique position of the wisdom teeth and thus pressure on the neighboring teeth, damage to the neighboring teeth, cysts, dirt accumulation and resulting infections, caries in the wisdom teeth or root problems. In case of pain, the doctor should be consulted. With the help of a detailed questioning, a dental examination and a following X-ray the wisdom teeth are examined. It is checked whether the wisdom teeth are in place at all and what their position in the jaw is. The position is decisive for whether they cause pain or whether there may be problems in the future. Wisdom teeth do not always have to be removed. If the tooth is not pressing on adjacent teeth or causing problems, surgery is not necessary. If there is pain, inflammation, or other symptoms, such as swelling, difficulty swallowing, or mucosal inflammation, treatment is recommended as soon as possible.
Diagnosis and course
For most wisdom teeth, local anesthesia by injection is sufficient. The area around the wisdom tooth is anesthetized so that only pressure and vibration are felt. A distinction must be made between the removal of impacted and partially impacted teeth. If the wisdom teeth have grown out and erupted, they can be removed like other teeth. The extraction is usually unproblematic. Difficulties and complications can arise with wisdom teeth that are still in the jaw and have an oblique or transverse position. In this case, general anesthesia is sometimes recommended instead of local anesthesia. Before the operation, the root condition of the teeth must be checked. The doctor must assess whether the tips of the roots can easily break off or if it is necessary to divide the tooth during the operation. It is also necessary to clarify beforehand what surrounding structures are nearby that could be damaged during the operation and whether there is a risk of nerve injury.For this purpose, a computer tomography is made to examine the jaw in its three-dimensional structures. The three-dimensionality of the image helps to identify dangers and risks during extraction and to plan the operation. Computed tomography provides anatomical clues to avoid damaging the nerves in the jaw.
Complications
Many complications can usually occur with wisdom tooth pain, both with and without treatment of the problem. In wisdom tooth pain, most often the wisdom teeth press against the healthy teeth or even against each other, causing quite an unpleasant pain. This can occur during eating and chewing, but can also be permanently present in the mouth. Usually the wisdom tooth pain does not come immediately, but develops into an unpleasant feeling over several months. If wisdom tooth pain is not treated directly, it will not go away on its own and in most cases it will become more severe. This means that healthy eating and drinking is no longer possible. In case of such pain, the wisdom teeth should be removed. The removal itself takes place under anesthesia in most people, so the removal is also not associated with pain. However, many people suffer from pain after this procedure, which occurs due to swelling. This procedure is a very serious intervention in the oral cavity. Patients often have to take a few days off work until the swelling subsides completely and normal eating and drinking is possible. In most cases, the removal of the teeth proceeds without any particular complications. Thus, wisdom tooth pain can be easily eliminated.
When should you go to the doctor?
In the past, the prevailing opinion in medicine was to extract wisdom teeth as early as possible. In the meantime, a change in thinking has taken place. The question of when to see a dentist for wisdom tooth pain therefore requires a comprehensive risk assessment. All the circumstances of the individual case must be comprehensively examined and taken into account. Medical practice is based on scientific guidelines for wisdom tooth removal, which are continuously adapted. These provide for a visit to the dentist in particular in the event of persistent pressure pain in the jaw region. In addition, a visit to the doctor is also advisable if the tissue surrounding the growing wisdom teeth is inflamed. In these cases, action should be taken quickly and the visit should not be postponed. But also those who suspect that a wisdom tooth is the cause of toothache or facial discomfort should see a dentist. As a result, a visit to the dentist is already necessary when general symptoms appear that can be attributed to wisdom teeth with a certain degree of probability. The dentist will issue a report and may advise removal. Wisdom tooth removal can be performed by a dental surgeon or a dentist with additional training.
Treatment and therapy
During wisdom tooth extraction, the gum is cut open and flipped open. When the tooth is completely exposed, it can be removed. It is often necessary to cut the tooth in order to remove all parts. Before the procedure, the patient is fully informed by the doctor about the surgery and the possible problems associated with it. The information includes complications during the operation such as the opening of the maxillary sinus, injuries to the nerve, as well as swelling, pain, problems and rules of behavior after the surgical procedure. Certain rules of conduct must be followed during the first few days after tooth extraction to ensure proper wound healing:
- Keep the head elevated to avoid renewed bleeding.
- Brush with a soft toothbrush, omit toothpaste on the day of surgery.
- Do not drive yourself after surgery.
- No solid food on the day of surgery.
- No hot or spicy dishes.
- Do not use mouthwashes.
- Rinse with chamomile tea.
- No dairy products for the first three days.
- Refrain from sports and physical exertion for a few days.
- Avoid blood-thinning painkillers.
Outlook and prognosis
As a rule, almost all people experience pain in the wisdom teeth. These usually do not disappear on their own if the teeth are not surgically removed. On the other hand, some people do not suffer from the pain, although these teeth are equally present in the oral cavity. If the patient does not have any complaints, the teeth do not need to be removed. In case of pain, the wisdom teeth are surgically removed from the oral cavity so that they do not press against the healthy teeth and possibly displace them. If displacement has already occurred, it may be necessary to wear braces. Often the pain does not occur directly on the teeth but on the gums and can lead to bleeding there. For many of those affected, it is no longer possible to take in food and liquids. The quality of life decreases considerably due to this pain. The treatment and removal is usually performed with anesthesia and does not itself lead to further complications or discomfort. After the operation, the patient suffers from swelling and possibly pain, which usually disappears after a few days.
Prevention
Prevention for wisdom teeth is difficult, as pain often results from lack of space. Regular checkups can detect high-risk teeth early. Cleaning and caring for the teeth prevents decay and helps prevent pain.
What you can do yourself
Wisdom teeth pain can be very excruciating. However, there are many ways to relieve this problem. Peppermint is particularly effective. Mint has a soothing effect on the oral mucosa and can therefore reduce pain. In addition, peppermint has an antibacterial effect. Since pain can additionally be caused by bacterial infections, the plant is also very helpful here. For this purpose, with washed hands, carefully apply the oil of the plant on the painful areas. After a few minutes, rinse the mouth with water. This procedure can be repeated two or three times a day. In addition to the application with oil, a tea infusion can be made alternatively. For this purpose, fresh peppermint leaves are poured over with hot water. Then let the infusion steep for about twenty minutes. Then take a big sip in the mouth and spit it out after half a minute. Furthermore, salt is a suitable home remedy for pain in the teeth. Salt soothes inflammation of the gums and fights infections. To prepare the salt solution, mix one teaspoon of salt with warm water. Keep the solution in the mouth for one to three minutes two or three times a day, spit it out and then rinse with water. Cloves and garlic can also provide relief for wisdom teeth pain. Both have an antibacterial effect and relieve inflammation and pain. To do this, press the cloves or garlic on the painful areas. If the pain becomes unbearable and self-help measures do not work, a trip to the dentist is inevitable.
