What to Know about Wisdom Teeth

By Vuyokazi Mdlungu | Founding Director, Bryte Smile

Edited by Gaby N Ndongo | Reviewed by Miso Myeko

Wisdom teeth are a third set of teeth, formally known as molars. They erupt last in the mouth, often during late teens or early 20s. The wisdom teeth eruption process can be painful and uncomfortable irrespective of age.

Some people have four wisdom teeth – others have none. The lack of wisdom teeth in some individuals can be attributed to genes.

Wisdom teeth can remain dormant in the jawbone and grow partially or completely under the gums, causing teeth impaction. This impaction occurs when a tooth does not fully grow out due to the lack of space in the mouth and abnormal positioning.

These teeth presentely serve limited functions, but if they erupt properly, wisdom teeth can support the back of the mouth and preserve the jawbone.

They helped older generations chew hard-to-eat, uncooked food such as roots and raw meat. It is therefore recommended that wisdom teeth are regularly monitored, and extraction may be needed when they are causing oral ailments, including tooth decay.

The symptoms of impacted wisdom teeth may be evident at any stage of development and not necessarily during eruption periods.

Wisdom teeth-associated symptoms

The symptoms, according to Mayo Clinic, include but are not limited to …

• jaw pain,
• swelling around the jaw,
• bad breath,
• headache, and
• dental abscess.

Dental abscesses?“usually happen when pus builds up beneath your teeth or gums when you have an infection in your mouth,” explained in a piece by UK NHS. A pus is “a thick yellowish or greenish opaque liquid produced in infected tissue.”

These symptoms bring about certain issues, which differ from person to person, depending on the state of their wisdom teeth.

Wisdom teeth-associated problems

Although the issues vary, they may involve …

• pain and infection from impacted wisdom teeth,
• misaligned bite when they grow horizontally by pushing the adjacent tooth,
• trapping of food between teeth, making it hard to clean and resulting in tooth decay, and
• difficulty with cleaning because they erupt in the far back of the mouth.

Diagnosis and preventive measures

Preventive measures such as regular dental check-ups can help to detect whether they will be impacted or not. Early orthodontic interventions can reduce the incidence of impacted wisdom teeth.

These interventions, which can include braces, aim to “guide the growth and development of teeth and jaws, facilitating proper alignment,” according to Saddlebrook Dental & Orthodontics. “By addressing issues such as crowding, spacing, or bite problems at an early stage, braces help create room for permanent teeth to erupt naturally.”

Dentists further conduct x-rays to check wisdom teeth positioning. Impacted wisdom teeth may warrant a minimally invasive surgical extraction.

Wisdom teeth extraction

Extraction of large, impacted wisdom teeth with large roots is done by a maxillofacial and oral surgeon under general anaesthetic in the hospital. Following this procedure, mild to severe pain can be experienced. Painkillers and antibiotics should be prescribed.

Post-treatment?care of this procedure involves the following:

• paracetamol?to ease the pain,
• consumption of soft food until one can chew more comfortably,
• carefully clean the wound by rinsing gently with warm, salted water,
• carefully clean the other teeth while avoiding the affected area to not damage the stitches or the blood clot over the wound,
• gently press the operation site for at least 10 minutes with a clean cloth or piece of cotton wool when experiencing bleeding, and
• use an ice pack to reduce swelling.

One should conduct these activities before and after the procedure:

• avoid drinking alcohol 24 hours before the extraction,
• avoid drinking alcohol for 7 to 10 days after the extraction,
• avoid smoking for 7 to 10 days during the recovery period,
• avoid using aspirin-based painkillers, such as disprin tablets, until the bleeding has completely stopped,
• avoid conducting physical activities before one has fully recovered,
• avoid brushing one’s teeth the same day as the procedure, and
• avoid drinking through a straw, as this practice increases the risk of a dry socket.

According to the UK NHS, a dry socket is “a painful condition where the blood clot over the tooth socket does not form properly or is dislodged before your gum has healed”.

Considering the complexity of wisdom teeth extraction, certain complications may arise after the extraction.

Post-wisdom teeth removal procedure complications

The following complications may be experienced after wisdom teeth extraction:

• dry socket,
• an infection, which may need to be treated with antibiotics, and
• damage to nerves close to the tooth, causing numbness or tingling in your tongue, lips and chin, lasting a few weeks or months.

Get involved

Bryte Smile is committed to creating more opportunities for education and outreach, ensuring that children have the knowledge and resources to maintain healthy mouths.

To read more about the achievements of the previous year’s campaign, consult the Bryte Smile Impact Report 2023.

Although we reached 719 children during the 2023 Oral Hygiene Campaign, we can reach more pupils in 2024 with your support.

Contact us?to get involved:?[email protected]?| +27 66 313 4700 | +27 60 685 3822.