Eights, or wisdom teeth, unfortunately do not add reason. Rather, they are associated with pain and complicated procedures. So why do they grow up and what to do when eights are the source of ailments?
Third molars, oreighths , grow as the last teeth, usually between the ages of 17 and 25, which is the period in which a person reaches maturity. Hence their popular name -wisdom teeth . In some people their eruption may take up to 40 years of age, while in others they do not appear at all.
Eights - the painful victim of evolution?
Eighths seem to be completely redundant because people who have not grown up have no difficulty in chewing or grinding food. On the other hand, in many people, they are only the source of numerous problems, especially if they arise in a position that prevents them from properly fulfilling their functions. Unfortunately, this happens quite often.
Wisdom teeth, like the rest of the molars, are used for grinding and chewing food. However, while our four-legged ancestors were very useful, they are now losing their importance. Evolutionary changes in the structure of the jaw mean that today eights can hardly fit in it. And if there is not enough space for them in the dental arch, their eruption process often does not proceed properly - they grow out of a partially unfavorable position or remain uneven. Only in some people the eights grow up completely and correctly - then they are properly placed in the arch and fulfill their function well.
According to an expertMichał Pelc, dentistWhen should it be deleted?
The decision to remove wisdom teeth depends largely on the patient's age and the problems these teeth cause. If the eight has grown fully, but is very damaged by caries and root canal treatment is involved, it is worth thinking about extraction - due to the anatomy of wisdom teeth, as well as difficult access to them, tooth reconstruction is not easy and treatment may be ineffective. Removal of eights is also recommended when they clump other teeth (orthodontic problem), grow crookedly or grow into the cheek. Another indication is the frequent inflammation of the gums, which occur in partially erupted teeth. This is because food debris and bacteria continue to accumulate under the gum flap, causing the conditioninflammatory, which can be a source of infection for the entire body. In the case of uncut eights, a lot depends on the arrangement of the tooth. If, for example, an eight is placed with the crown towards the seven or it compresses its root, it may not only push the remaining teeth away, but also cause complications in the seven. In the worst case scenario, both teeth are removed - and that, unfortunately, is often the case. And this can be avoided by visiting your dentist regularly and having your wisdom teeth checked - then the decision to remove them can be made before problems arise.
Eights stopped completely
It happens that the eight eruption process stops. In this case, the tooth is invisible, but it is in the gum. Usually, such eighths are wrongly arranged, e.g. the bottom ones are often in the so-called forward position - with the crown in the direction of the seven. They then press against the roots of the molars, pressing the remaining teeth together.
The only way to check the alignment of eights is to make a pantomogram - an X-ray of the jaw. It gives a lot of information about the growth and development of these teeth. Sometimes, in the case of completely impacted teeth, a germectomy (removal of tooth buds) is performed. This method works well when bone and growth measurements indicate that there will be no room for the figure to develop properly and also when it is in an unfavorable position. Retained wisdom teeth can produce non-specific symptoms such as migraine headaches, joint problems (felt as "jumping" in the joint). An inflammation or a cyst may also form around such a tooth.
ProbeProblemWhen you decide to extract
Removing a figure eight is not always easy - it all depends on the arrangement of the tooth. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia. Sometimes it is necessary to have sutures after an extraction. After the procedure, it is important to keep the operated area clean and prevent infection, so you must not smoke, rinse your mouth intensively, and brush your teeth near the painful area. However, they should be cooled, e.g. by applying a cold compress to the cheek, sucking on ice cubes. You can also rinse your mouth with warm s alt water (a tablespoon per glass of water). You have to exclude caffeinated drinks and alcohol. Do not eat hard products that require chewing, only semi-liquid dishes (e.g. semolina, purée) are recommended. You should also refrain from clearing your nose (increasing pressure in the mouth can cause excessive bleeding). The discomfort after the procedure should disappear within a few days. However, if the pain persists and worsens, or if you develop swelling, bleeding or a fever, contact your doctor as soon as possible.dentist.
Eights: wisdom teeth
When it is actually time for eights to appear, why, when they grow up in pain, are they so quickly attacked by caries?
"Zdrowie" monthly