Is Your Teen Suffering From Wisdom Teeth Pain? Why Removal Is a Great Option For Teens

July 12th, 2014 by Dr. Patel

The arrival of wisdom teeth are a part of a teen’s life, that point when the final set of molars decides to erupt. This sign of maturity generally happens any time between the teen years and the early twenties. It begins with inflammation and discomfort in the affected area before the teeth finally break through the surface of the gums. However, in many cases, teens will find themselves dealing with more serious problems. If your teen is suffering from wisdom tooth pain and it isn’t getting any better, it’s time to do something about it. Read on for a few tips below and to book an appointment with our oral and maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Patel, contact the Lorton Oral Surgery offices at (703) 436-4633.

While it is completely normal to experience tenderness and pain as wisdom teeth erupt, your teen may be dealing with further complications. For example, many individuals suffer from impacted wisdom teeth. Impaction refers to a tooth entering at an improper angle; infections are common, as well as the formation of cysts. If left untreated, there can be damage to the gums, surrounding teeth, and nerves. Another common problem is when wisdom teeth fail to erupt. This also can lead to infections and extreme discomfort. Your dentist will be able to identify the source of discomfort for your teen and advise treatment.

In many cases, your dentist will immediately refer your teen to an oral surgeon like Dr. Patel for wisdom tooth removal. Often, this is advised as the best step as a preventative measure to avoid any complications. If your teen is already experiencing pain, removal can cure the problem and head off many others. The sooner your teen has wisdom teeth removed, the better. This will keep the root developing further and make the whole surgery an easier process.

An oral surgeon will be recommended to perform wisdom tooth removal for your teen. The procedure may take place in the office or in the hospital, depending on your wishes and how complex the surgery will be. In some cases, a local anesthetic may be enough for the procedure. However, you can request a sedative and anesthesia that is administered intravenously. General anesthesia and surgery in the hospital is recommended in more complicated cases or when there are other health problems that need to be taken into consideration.

While your teen will experience pain, swelling, and possible bruising for a few days after extraction, it will be well worth the lifetime of future relief. Pain medication, ice packs, and warm compresses are helpful as well. Your teen should rinse with warm, salt water several times a day. Eating soft foods is also recommended until the mouth is no longer tender.

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What can happen if you don't get your impacted wisdom teeth removed?

April 17th, 2014 by Dr. Patel

Having wisdom teeth removed isn’t something most people look forward to. As a matter of fact, this procedure is one that many people dread, especially those who are already afraid of the dentist’s chair. Though wisdom teeth extractions can be uncomfortable, the truth of the matter is that avoiding this procedure has much greater consequences than most people realize. The best thing you can do is overcome your fear and have your wisdom teeth extracted before they become impacted and put you at risk of developing these common problems.

An impacted wisdom tooth has the tendency to affect its neighboring teeth, since it is not able to grow in normally and erupt through the gums like the surrounding teeth. When an impacted wisdom tooth pushes against the second molar, it can cause damage and infection. It can also cause root resorption, which is the breakdown of the root structure in the adjacent teeth. This can sometimes cause the loss of the tooth. An impacted wisdom tooth that grows in sideways also puts the alignment of all of your teeth at risk, and can cause crowding and subsequent issues which would require orthodontic attention.

Wisdom teeth grow within a sac in the jawbone, and when a wisdom tooth becomes impacted, problems can occur that cause the sac to be filled with fluid. This then forms a cyst surrounding the wisdom tooth, which can cause damage to the jawbone and nerves in the mouth, sometimes requiring removal of not only the wisdom tooth, but also tissue and bone.

When an impacted wisdom tooth is partially erupted on the surface of your gums, you are at risk of developing oral health problems. A common problem when it comes to partially erupted wisdom teeth is Pericoronitis, which is sometimes also known as operculitis. This refers to the inflammation of the gums and dental follicle surrounding the wisdom teeth, which can cause severe pain, swelling, and sometimes fever. Since the areas surrounding the wisdom teeth are difficult to clean with your toothbrush, Pericoronitis is caused by the accumulation of bacteria, and the problem can be recurring and sometimes chronic.

For impacted wisdom teeth that are partially erupted, tooth decay is another common issue because wisdom teeth are so difficult to clean. Without daily cleaning, bacteria can accumulate and can easily lead to tooth decay, causing chronic bad breath. Cavities in impacted wisdom teeth are generally the cause for extractions, since partially erupted teeth will remain a constant source for bacteria buildup, which can lead to more serious infections.

With all of the science and medical knowledge we have today, we are all at an advantage. Knowing what kinds of problems can occur from neglect to our oral health, we are all able to prevent them before they happen. Hopefully being made aware of the serious issues that can occur from not removing your impacted wisdom teeth will help you to make the right decision, face the momentary fear, and have them removed before they cause more serious problems. For more information, you can always seek the assistance of one of the many specialists on impacted wisdom teeth Burke has to offer.

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