Wisdom Teeth

Which Teeth Are the Wisdom Teeth?

Wisdom teeth are the third molars that usually erupt between the ages of 17 and 26.

In Which Situations and When Should Wisdom Teeth Be Extracted?

Wisdom teeth are located at the very back of the mouth. Because they are in an area that is difficult to see and reach, cleaning and maintaining them can be harder compared to other teeth. Due to insufficient brushing, wisdom teeth can easily decay, causing pain and bad breath.

In some cases, wisdom teeth cannot erupt because of limited space in the jaw. They may remain completely impacted (completely beneath the gum and bone, invisible in the mouth) or partially impacted (partially covered by the gum and exposed to the oral cavity). In this situation, food can accumulate in the area where the tooth partially emerges, leading to infection. This condition, known as pericoronitis, causes swelling and redness of the surrounding gum tissue, severe pain radiating to the ear and neck, swelling of the lymph nodes, and pain during mouth opening and swallowing.

Completely impacted wisdom teeth can also put pressure on adjacent teeth, causing crowding or misalignment. They may also damage neighboring teeth by exerting pressure and leading to decay. If unnoticed for years, impacted wisdom teeth can cause large cysts to form within the jaw, resulting in serious problems.

Even if they do not cause any immediate issues, wisdom teeth may need to be extracted for orthodontic reasons to ensure proper alignment of other teeth. For these reasons, wisdom teeth extractions are performed under local anesthesia, numbing only the area around the tooth.
The extraction of wisdom teeth should always be performed by oral and maxillofacial surgeons.

What Are the Symptoms of Wisdom Teeth?

•  Pain and sensitivity in teeth and gums
• Ear pain or headaches caused by referred pain
• Jaw pain or headaches associated with jaw tension
• Bad breath
• Swelling of the lymph nodes
• Jaw pain during chewing

In Which Cases Should Wisdom Teeth Be Extracted?

• Tooth decay
• Gum disease / dental abscess
• Orthodontic reasons
• Cyst formation
• Pressure on adjacent teeth

Is It Always Necessary to Extract Wisdom Teeth?

Extraction of wisdom teeth is not mandatory as long as they are functional and healthy. However, if they are impacted and exerting pressure on other teeth, this can lead to decay or misalignment. In such cases, extraction becomes necessary. As long as wisdom teeth are in use and healthy, they should be maintained just like other teeth.

What Should Be Considered After Wisdom Tooth Extraction?

• Do not touch the extraction area with your fingers.
• Eat on the opposite side for the first 24 hours after the procedure.
• If you smoke, avoid smoking for at least 24 hours, as it may cause bleeding in the treated area.
• A slight amount of bleeding from the surgical site is normal after wisdom tooth surgery.
• Avoid spitting continuously, as it may dislodge the newly formed clot and cause bleeding.
• Rinsing the mouth gently with antiseptic mouthwash can help speed up healing.