Dental & Health Care

Wisdom teeth, a set of four are commonly referred to as third molars. They are the last teeth to develop and erupt in the mouth. Most people get them by the age of 15 to 25. As it comes in the later stage of life, it is at times given the association of the amount of wisdom a person has. For many, all four wisdom teeth do not develop. And for whom they do develop, rarely are they healthy and well aligned. At some time in our life we have all been through the excruciating wisdom teeth pain, and removal has seemed to be the only cure. Dental care is often neglected, however it plays a very vital role in ensuring overall good health.

By itself, wisdom teeth are not a cause for pain, it’s the way they develop and are misaligned that gives rise to an array of painful symptoms. Pain is a common and the most exhibited symptom. One can feel constant irritation in the mouth. Swelling not only around the infected area but even externally around the ear and throat can also be seen. People with misaligned or deformed wisdom teeth become susceptible to gum disease and tooth decay.

One can get pain relief from wisdom teeth either through medications, removal (extraction) or by using some natural remedies. All relief remedies are aimed at not only curing the pain but also ensuring that any other gum or tooth disease is avoided.

Pain medications such as codeine, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, etc are often prescribed to relieve pain. At times, doctors also prescribe oral medications that have some form of narcotics in them. Antibiotics are given either before tooth extraction, or if the teeth becomes impacted or causes infection. Antibiotics help to kill germs that can cause further complications. Some over the counter analgesic are also available in emollient form that can numb pain temporarily.

The tooth or teeth extraction is done after looking upon the x-rays and some other tests that determine the position of the infected tooth and root development. Most of these extraction surgeries are done under the influence of anesthesia, general anesthesia or intravenous sedation. A well erupted wisdom tooth can be extracted through the gum with relative ease. But the one that is underneath the gum or embedded in the jawbone requires incision into the gums. A portion of bone that lies over the tooth has to be removed first, and then the tooth is removed in small sections to minimize the amount of bone removal to get the tooth out.