Wisdom Teeth

Third molars, commonly called “wisdom teeth”, usually come in during a person’s late teens or early twenties. If there is not enough room in the jaw for these teeth, or the angulation is improper, wisdom teeth may be “impacted” meaning a tooth has failed to emerge fully into its expected position.

Why this lack of space exists is not fully understood. However, there does seem to be a correlation between large tooth size and inadequate jawbone space. Impacted teeth are very difficult to clean effectively and commonly have reoccurring infections. This not only places the wisdom tooth at risk, but the tooth next to the wisdom tooth, too.

Decay or infection in the wisdom tooth can extend to the adjacent tooth and require its removal along with the wisdom tooth. For these reasons, it is important to diagnose and remove impacted teeth before they become a problem.

Tooth Extractions

A tooth extraction is the process of removing a tooth. If a significant amount of infection (“swelling”) is present you may need to take an antibiotic for several days before the tooth extraction procedure is performed. Clearing up an infection will make complications, both during the extraction procedure and during the subsequent healing process, less likely.

While having a tooth extracted may be less expensive than the other options proposed it may not be the least expensive in the long run. When a tooth is missing its neighboring teeth will tend to shift, sometimes significantly, which in turn can have a major impact on your dental health such as problems with your chewing ability, problems with your jaw joint, and predispose the teeth that have shifted to problems also.

To avoid these complications it will probably be recommend that you replace the tooth that has been extracted. The best option is to save a tooth if possible. However, if this is not an opption the extraction is the last option.

Oral Cancer Testing

Any unusual sore, spot, patch or lump that does not go away in two weeks should be checked by your dentist. In the US alone, a person dies from oral cancer every hour of every day. However, when found early, oral cancers have an 80 to 90 % cure rate. Unfortunately at this time, the majority are found as latter stage cancers.

You are the most important factor in an early diagnosis. You should always contact your doctor or dentist immediately if you notice the following symptoms in yourself or a loved one:

• A sore or lesion in the mouth that does not heal within two weeks.
• A lump or thickening in the cheek
• A white or red patch on the gums, tongue, tonsil, or lining of the mouth.
• A sore throat or a feeling that something is caught in the throat
• Difficulty chewing or swallowing
• Difficulty moving the jaw or tongue
• Numbness of the tongue or other area of the mouth
• Swelling of the jaw that causes dentures to fit poorly or become uncomfortable

These symptoms may be caused by other, less serious problems, but they also indicate the possible presence of oral cancer. Only a professional will be able to tell you definitively. To test for cancer, a dentist may use a small brush to gather cell samples of a suspicious area.The specimen is then sent to a lab for analysis.