3 Common Issues with Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth are the third molars at the back of the mouth, two on the top and two on the bottom. Wisdom teeth are the last adult teeth to come in and will usually emerge in your late teens to early 20s.

For some, wisdom teeth come through the gums without causing any issues (at the most, a small amount of pain). For others, wisdom teeth are the source of a range of dental problems and require more immediate professional dental attention.

If you’re experiencing wisdom teeth pain, there are three common issues that occur with wisdom teeth that you should be aware of.

How common are wisdom teeth issues?

Wisdom teeth issues are common - a study by ABC Science found that for every 100,000 Australians, 527 are getting their wisdom teeth removed in hospital. 

Wisdom teeth often grow into an already-developed mouth with only enough room for the (on average) 28 teeth currently there. With limited space, adding four extra teeth to the mouth can cause problems and necessitate removal or other treatments. 

Let’s dive into the three most common issues associated with wisdom teeth.

Decay

What is it?

Tooth decay occurs when a tooth begins to lose its hard minerals. As more minerals are lost, a cavity or hole may appear on the tooth, often leading to toothaches. A 2014 national study on oral health found that 1 in 3 adults over 15 years old and 1 in 3 children between 5 and 6 across Australia have experienced varying levels of tooth decay.

Symptoms

Common symptoms of tooth decay include:

• Toothache

• Tooth sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures

• Visible holes or pits in the teeth

• Pain when biting

• Gums near the decayed tooth is red and swollen

• Brown, black or white staining on the surface of the tooth

Causes

Tooth decay is caused when food gets stuck between the teeth, allowing bacteria to remove minerals in your tooth’s hard enamel. When minerals are removed, tooth erosion begins, and tiny openings or holes are caused in the tooth. Because wisdom teeth are hard to clean, they are often more prone to tooth decay than other teeth.

Treatment options

The sooner tooth decay is treated, the better the chances are of reversing its impact. Treatments may include fluoride, fillings, root canals, or tooth extraction. The type of treatment option depends on how severe the tooth decay is.

Impaction

What is it?

An impacted tooth is a tooth that stays trapped in your gums or jawbone instead of erupting besides the other molar teeth. This can push into the gum or the teeth beside the impaction. While impaction can happen to any tooth, it is most common in wisdom teeth.

Symptoms

An impacted tooth is painful - it can become infected, damage other teeth, or cause other dental problems. Symptoms can include:

• Jaw pain

• Gums near the impacted tooth are red, swollen, tender, or bleeding

• Bad breath

• Difficulty opening the mouth

• A permanent bad taste in the mouth

• Headaches

Causes

An impacted tooth occurs when there is not enough room for the tooth to come through or develop normally. This is common with wisdom teeth. When the jaw is too small to hold wisdom teeth, they may become twisted, tilted, or displaced as they try to emerge.

Treatment options

Treatment for an impacted tooth is generally extraction, but this depends on the tooth type and condition. The most common treatment for impacted wisdom teeth is removal, which is done by an oral surgeon (dentist/specialist). Other impacted teeth can be treated with braces to position the tooth correctly. For any discomfort or pain in the gums, prescribed pain relievers, warm salt water, or mouthwash can be used for soothing the area.

Gum infection

What is it?

Gum infections, like periodontitis disease or gingivitis, damage the soft tissue around the teeth. Periodontitis and gingivitis are common but can usually be avoided with good oral hygiene habits, like flossing, brushing, and regular dentist appointments. Wisdom teeth can cause gum infection when left untreated.

Symptoms

Symptoms of gum infection from wisdom teeth include:

• Swollen, red, or bruised gums

• Gums bleed easily

• Bad bread

• Gums feel tender to the touch

• Painful chewing

• Pus between teeth and gums

• New gaps between teeth

• Loose teeth or loss of teeth

• Changes in bite

Causes

Gum infections are generally caused by plaque. Plaque is a sticky film that coats the teeth and contains bacteria. When this film isn’t brushed and flossed away, the plaque hardens and can damage the teeth and irritate the gums. Experiencing gum infections when wisdom teeth come through is not uncommon. Brushing wisdom teeth can be difficult, and when the plaque film isn’t removed, gum infections can occur.

Treatment options

Early gum infections, like gingivitis, can be treated with good oral hygiene and professional dental cleaning. For more severe gum infections, like periodontitis, a dentist will deep clean the gums and pockets around the teeth and, if needed, can remove areas of the gums or tissues. Antibiotics may also be prescribed to treat persistent infections.

When to seek treatment for wisdom teeth pain

If you have wisdom teeth pain, whether mild or severe, you should visit your dentist as soon as possible. Often, the best treatment option for wisdom teeth pain is to have the wisdom teeth removed, but there may be other issues that need addressing as well. A dentist will assess your wisdom teeth and the impact they may be having on the rest of your teeth and gums and look for any of the above issues wisdom teeth often cause. This is often done together with an Oral examination and X-rays.

Bluff Point Dental in Geraldton, WA, provides a wide range of quality dentistry services – including wisdom teeth treatment. Our professional local dentists offer effective treatments for wisdom teeth pain and ensure your teeth and gums are healthy. If you’re experiencing wisdom teeth pain, contact us today so we can get to the root cause of the problem and fix it.