Tuesday, June 28, 2016

Partially Erupted Wisdom Tooth

Partially Erupted Wisdom Tooth

Wisdom tooth is one of four third molars found in adult teeth. As they are the last teeth in the dental arch, you usually experience serious pain when they erupt. Interestingly, some people never develop all of the third molars, but some may have more than four wisdom teeth. Sometimes, you have the wisdom tooth but they are not visible mainly because they stay under the gingival tissue. A partially erupted wisdom tooth can grow at any angle in the jaw and it can sometimes be a painful situation to deal with. Let's find out more about wisdom teeth.





Should I remove the Partially Erupted Wisdom Tooth?
Some dentists are of the view that you should have your partially erupted wisdom tooth removed if they grow near the nerve of the lower jaw. The reason is that wisdom teeth sometimes do not emerge normally and become trapped or impacted within the jaw. A passageway develops when your wisdom tooth emerges partially, and this can cause problems mainly because the area is hard to clean and is more likely to become infected.


You should always consider your age when deciding if you should have your wisdom tooth extracted. Younger patients are less likely to experience serious complications after the removal of the wisdom tooth. Therefore, you should consider leaving your impacted wisdom tooth alone if you are over 35 years of age but your tooth is not causing any problem.


When to Remove the Partially Erupted Wisdom Tooth
As per the American Dental Association, you may consider removing your partially erupted wisdom tooth if it causes serious pain, has cysts, or leads to a gum disease. Tumors, repeated infection of soft tissue, damage to nearby teeth, and extensive Tooth Decay are some other issues that make extraction a reasonably good option. Be sure to discuss everything with your doctor before you finalize your decision of having your impacted tooth extracted.


How Much Does It Cost to Remove Your Wisdom Teeth?
Simple extraction usually does not cost more than $99 per tooth; however, you will have to pay around $230-$340 to have your impacted wisdom teeth removed. The cost to remove the teeth may vary depending on where you live. Be sure to ask a number of oral surgeons and dentists for what they charge before making a decision. Check if your insurance policy also covers the cost of wisdom teeth removal.


How to Care for the Partially Erupted Wisdom Tooth
You are more likely to develop a bacterial infection because the location of wisdom teeth makes it difficult to clean them properly. Here are some steps to follow when you have a partially erupted wisdom tooth but do not want it removed any time soon.


Use the Right Brush
It is important to brush your teeth regularly, but you should opt for a narrow-headed toothbrush to ensure you clean your partially erupted wisdom teeth properly. Be sure to brush twice a day – you may also consider brushing after meals for added protection. Also, opt for a soft-bristled toothbrush and brush gently to clean your teeth without hurting your gums. Moreover, you should never forget to brush your tongue because this helps lower the risk of anything entering your gums and causing an infection.


Never Forget Flossing
Brushing is important, but you cannot underestimate the importance of flossing, especially when you have a partially erupted tooth. Using electric flosser is a good idea but normal floss will also work just fine – using an 18-inch floss is the best choice. Be sure to floss at least once a day and ensure that you have removed any debris collected around your wisdom teeth or inside the gums. Simply wrap the floss around your middle fingers and grip the floss with your thumb and forefinger. Gently, guide the floss between the teeth and curve it gently once it is close to your gum line. Move it in an up and down motion and use more floss if necessary.


Try an Antiseptic Mouth Rinse
Rinsing your mouth with an antiseptic mouth rinse after brushing and flossing will keep your gums healthy and prevent plaque and gingivitis. Mouthwashes with chlorhexidine prove more effective, but avoid anything with alcohol because it can cause bad breath. When using mouthwash, be sure to swish it around in a way that it reaches your wisdom teeth as well.


Gargle with Saline Solution
You can always reduce the pain caused by your wisdom tooth by reducing the inflammation, and you can do it by rinsing your mouth with saline solution. Take 8oz of warm water and dissolve half a teaspoon of salt in it. Use this solution to gargle for 30 seconds. Do not swallow the solution though.


Use an Irrigator
To prevent infection, it is a good idea to rinse the areas around your teeth with a small plastic syringe or an irrigator. Use it right after meals and especially at bedtime to eliminate any debris collected around your wisdom teeth. To get better results, fill the irrigator with the simple saline solution. Be sure to keep the tip of the irrigator as close to your teeth as possible to clean it thoroughly.


Keep your Mouth Moist
You should drink plenty of water daily to keep your mouth as moist as possible. Not doing this will make your mouth dry, which provides bacteria a perfect environment to thrive. Dryness in your mouth will also cause bad breath.


Talk to Your Dentist
Even if you do not feel any pain yet, you should still see your dentist regularly to ensure no infection is developing around your wisdom teeth. If there is pain, talk to your doctor about having your tooth extracted.

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