What are Wisdom Teeth?

The third molar, commonly known as a wisdom tooth, is the last tooth to develop in your mouth.

Their development is usually completed between the middle teenage years and early twenties, a time traditionally associated with the onset of maturity and the attainment of wisdom.

Jaw growth is different for every person, as such many people cannot grow all 32 adult teeth into their mouth. As the third molar is last to develop, often they grow crooked or get stuck in the bone.

This can lead to pain, cavities, gum disease, and cysts/tumors.

What is an Impacted Wisdom Tooth

Although most people develop and grow 32 permanent adult teeth, many times their jaws are too small to accommodate the four wisdom teeth.

When inadequate space prevents the teeth from erupting, they are called impacted wisdom teeth. This indicates their inability to erupt into the proper position for chewing and cleaning.

Problems with impacted wisdom Tooth

You’ll likely need your impacted wisdom tooth pulled if it results in problems such as:

  • Pain
  • Trapping food and debris behind the wisdom tooth
  • Damage to a nearby tooth or surrounding bone
  • Development of a fluid-filled sac (cyst) around the wisdom tooth
  • Infection or gum disease or periodontal disease
  • Complications with orthodontic treatments to straighten other teeth

We have a team of Salem’s oral surgeons that can provide treatment for your dental health problems with your wisdom teeth. Book an appointment if you need oral and maxillofacial surgery, we have the best maxillofacial surgeons that can diagnose and treat a wide variety of conditions. The following are just some of the many conditions, treatments, and procedures oral and maxillofacial surgeon deal with on a daily basis: TMJ, Facial Pain, & Facial Reconstruction, Dental Implants due to missing teeth, Tooth Extractions & Impacted Teeth, Wisdom Teeth, Misaligned Jaws, Cleft Lip & Palate Apicoectomy Oral Cancers, Tumors, Cysts, & Biopsies Sleep Apnea Facial Cosmetic Surgery.

Cause & Symptoms of Impacted Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth become impacted because they don’t have enough room to come in or develop normally.

Wisdom teeth usually emerge sometime between the ages of 17 and 25. Some people have wisdom teeth that emerge without any problems and line up with the other teeth behind the second molars. In many cases, however, the mouth is too crowded for third molars to develop normally. These crowded third molar teeth or the last molar become trapped.

An impacted wisdom tooth may partially emerge so that some of the crowns are visible or it may never break through the gums. Whether partially or fully impacted, the tooth may:

  • Grow at an angle toward the next tooth (second molar)
  • Grow at an angle toward the back of the mouth
  • Grow at a right angle to the other teeth, as if impacted wisdom teeth is “lying down” within the jawbone
  • Grow straight up or down like other teeth but stay trapped within the jawbone

Impacted wisdom teeth don’t always cause symptoms. However, when impacted wisdom teeth become infected, damage other teeth, or causes other dental problems, you may experience some of these signs or symptoms:

  • Red or swollen gums
  • Tender or bleeding gums
  • Jaw pain
  • Swelling around the jaw
  • Bad breath
  • An unpleasant taste in your mouth
  • Difficulty opening your mouth

When to see a doctor for Wisdom Teeth Removal?

Numerous young adults go through oral surgery in their late teens and early twenties. Call your dentist or oral surgeons in Salem VA from Eschenbach Dental if you experience any of the following signs or symptoms, which could indicate an infection of your wisdom teeth may have nerve damage or other serious complication:

  • Fever and you feel pain
  • Excessive bleeding
  • Swelling that worsens after two or three days
  • Severe pain not relieved by prescribed pain medications
  • Partially impacted wisdom teeth appear to be at higher risk of tooth decay (caries) than other teeth
  • A bad taste in your mouth not removed with saltwater rinsing
  • Persistent numbness or loss of feeling
  • Pus in or oozing from the socket
  • Difficulty swallowing or breathing
  • Blood clot or pus in nasal discharge

Eschenbach Family Dentistry provides treatment for wisdom teeth, maintenance for healthy teeth, or wisdom teeth Management in Salem VA. To schedule an appointment with our oral surgeon, call us today!

Simple Ways to Keep Your Wisdom Teeth Healthy

Achieving healthy wisdom teeth takes a lifetime of care. This involves getting the right oral care products, as well as being mindful of your daily habits.

  1. Don’t go to bed without brushing your teeth
  2. Brush properly to avoid wisdom teeth removal
  3. Use a fluoride toothpaste approved by the American Dental Association
  4. Consider mouthwash
  5. See your dentist at least twice a year

We are looking forward to your visit Visit Eschenbach Dental to remove your impacted teeth require removal, wisdom teeth removal, and wisdom teeth erupt especially if they need surgical removal or other tooth concerns. Wisdom Teeth attention plus extraction if necessary cosmetic dental care. Call us at 540.302.5813. Now is the time!

Best Dentist In Salem VA - Eschenbach Family Dentistry

Why Should You Choose Eschenbach Family Dentistry As Your Salem Dentist?
We are a dental practice devoted to restoring and enhancing the natural beauty of your smile using state-of-the-art procedures that will result in beautiful, long-lasting smiles!

Dr. Eschenbach graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University Dental School with a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree and completed advanced training during his General Practice Residency at the University of Washington in Seattle.

As a general dentist, Dr. Sean Eschenbach is a highly skilled doctor who has dedicated himself to the health and well-being of patients throughout the Salem area. He has training in almost every facet of dental care including pediatric dentistry, periodontics, endodontics, and dental implants.

With this experience, our doctors aim to improve the oral health of all patients seeking dental care in southwest Virginia, regardless of age or medical disability, by utilizing quality advanced general dentistry techniques, hygienists, and area specialists.

Make an appointment today and we’ll give you a reason to smile!