Wisdom teeth are your third molars that are way back of your mouth. We have four wisdom teeth, one in each corner of mouth, two on top, two on bottom. They normally emerge between the ages 17 and 25.

Symptoms

Common signs and symptoms of impacted wisdom teeth include:

• Pain or tenderness around your gums
• Swelling around your jaw
• Red or swollen gums around the impacted tooth
• Jaw pain
• Bad breath
• Unpleasant taste when biting down on or near the area
• Prolonged headache or jaw ache.
  

Tests and diagnosis

• Dental and medical history.
• Dental examination.
• Dental x-rays.
  

Complications

Impacted teeth that are not removed can cause numerous problems. These problems are:

• Gum disease: Bacteria and food can be trapped under the flap 0of the gum that will grow to wisdom teeth, creating infections. Gum disease can be initially mild (gingivitis) or progress to more severe form (Periodontitis).
• Crowding: A wisdom tooth can push on their teeth, damaging them or moving them out os position.
• Decay: Wisdom teeth may not get fully cleaned during brushing making them to vulnerable to decay and cavities.
• Cysts: The crown of a wisdom tooth grows in a sac. If the sac remains in the jawbone, it can fill with fluid, forming a cyst that can damage the jawbone, teeth and nerves. Very rarely a tumor, usually benign, also may develop, which may require removal of tissue and bone.

Treatments and drugs

• Conservative treatment: Using mouthwashes, saltwater rinses and over the counter pain relievers. If there is complication surgery may be option.
• Surgical extraction.