What are the risks associated with wisdom teeth?
Under normal circumstances, impacted wisdom teeth may cause various problems such as limited mouth opening, dental caries in adjacent teeth, oral ulcers, pericoronitis, and jaw cysts. It is recommended to visit a qualified hospital to identify the underlying cause and receive appropriate treatment under a doctor's guidance. Detailed explanations are as follows:
1. Limited mouth opening: When a wisdom tooth erupts, the surrounding gum tissue may become inflamed, and the inflammation can spread to nearby soft tissues, causing difficulty in fully opening the mouth. Under a doctor's guidance, medications such as amoxicillin, ibuprofen sustained-release capsules, and acetaminophen tablets can be used to alleviate symptoms.
2. Caries in adjacent teeth: If the wisdom tooth erupts in an improper position, it may tilt and exert pressure or compression on adjacent teeth, leading to dental caries. In severe cases, neighboring teeth may become loose. Following medical advice, impacted wisdom teeth can be removed using extraction methods such as forceps extraction, space-creating techniques, or tooth sectioning, which may help relieve symptoms.
3. Oral ulcers: A misaligned wisdom tooth may rub against the oral mucosa on the cheek side and repeatedly injure the mucosal tissue during biting, making ulcers more likely to occur. Under medical guidance, medications such as watermelon frost spray, cydiotropin lozenges, and Bingbor powder may be used for treatment.
4. Pericoronitis: After eruption, wisdom teeth can easily trap food debris around them, promoting bacterial growth and causing pericoronitis, which may lead to swollen and painful gums, facial and jaw redness, and swelling. As directed by a physician, medications such as metronidazole tablets, clindamycin, and cefixime capsules may help alleviate symptoms.
5. Jaw cysts: Abnormal eruption of a wisdom tooth may lead to cystic lesions within the jawbone, causing a jaw cyst and potentially resulting in facial deformities. Under a doctor's supervision, surgical treatments such as cyst curettage, maxillary sinus surgery, or decompression procedures may be performed.
Patients with impacted wisdom teeth should maintain good oral hygiene by brushing teeth in the morning and evening, rinsing the mouth promptly after meals, and avoiding spicy or irritating foods such as pepper, chili peppers, and onions to reduce the risk of complications.