Our Blog:
Archive:
- 2022
- 2021
- 2020
- 2019
- 2018
- 2017
- 2016
- 2015
- 2014
- 2013
Tags
- celebrity smiles (87)
- cosmetic dentistry (16)
- gum disease (16)
- oral health (37)
- oral cancer (4)
- x-rays (1)
- sleep apnea (3)
- oral hygiene (34)
- invisalign (1)
- clear aligners (5)
- orthodontics (9)
- jaw surgery (2)
- Veneers (12)
- Resin Veneers (1)
- Porcelain Veneers (5)
- mouthguards (5)
- dental injuries (4)
- dental implants (21)
- dentures (5)
- Implant Dentistry (1)
- tooth decay (11)
- nutrition (3)
- orthodontic treatment (17)
- crown (1)
- smoking (5)
- jaw pain (2)
- tmj (1)
- tmd (1)
- Dentistry (1)
- bridge (1)
- pregnancy (4)
- snoring (2)
- missing tooth (2)
- replacing teeth (1)
- dental implant (5)
- root canal (4)
- chipped teeth (2)
- bonding (3)
- braces (11)
- lichen planus (1)
- cleft lip (1)
- cleft palate (1)
- oral surgery (2)
- Healthy food (1)
- pediatric care (1)
- crowns (5)
- palatal expander (1)
- osteoporosis (2)
- teeth wear (1)
- tooth grinding (1)
- tooth replacement (1)
- missing teeth (1)
- dental anxiety (1)
- fillings (3)
- TMJ/ TMD (1)
- infection control (1)
- sedation dentistry (3)
- removable dentures (1)
- athletic mouthguards (1)
- root canal treatment (9)
- dental emergency (1)
- dental injury (7)
- mouthguard (1)
- restorative dentistry (4)
- apicoectomy (1)
- bad breath (2)
- teething (4)
- pediatric dentistry (15)
- teeth whitening (5)
- sensitive teeth (1)
- wisdom teeth (5)
- dental exam (1)
- space maintainer (1)
- periodontal disease (1)
- chipped tooth (3)
- abscessed tooth (1)
- trigeminal neuralgia (1)
- facial pain (1)
- adult braces (1)
- air abrasion (1)
- chewing tobacco (1)
- thumb sucking (2)
- flossing (1)
- Dental Crowns (1)
- orthognathic surgery (1)
- Sedation (1)
- Nitrous Oxide (1)
- Dental Fear (1)
- smile makeover (1)
- periodontal (gum) disease (1)
- Family Dentist (3)
- retainers (1)
- topical fluoride (1)
- root resorption (2)
- gerd (1)
- bone loss (1)
- toothache (1)
- oral appliance (1)
- tmj disorders (3)
- dental cleaning (2)
- Root Canal Therapy (1)
- teeth grinding (2)
- extraction (1)
- Tooth-Colored (1)
- composite resin (1)
- White Smile (1)
- gummy smile (1)
- vaping (1)
- General Dentistry (2)
- Family Dentistry (1)
- East Ellijay GA Dentist (1)
- Dentist (1)
- wedding day smile (1)
- retainer (2)
- tmj disorder (1)
- gum recession (1)
- implant overdentures (1)
- dental sealants (1)
- tooth pain (1)
- Dental Visits (1)
- Dental Checkups (1)
When die-hard music fans hear that their favorite performer is canceling a gig, it’s a big disappointment—especially if the excuse seems less than earth-shaking. Recently, British pop sensation Dua Lipa needed to drop two dates from her world tour with Bruno Mars. However, she had a very good reason.
“I’ve been performing with an awful pain due to my wisdom teeth,” the singer tweeted, “and as advised by my dentist and oral surgeon I have had to have them imminently removed.”
The dental problem Lipa had to deal with, impacted wisdom teeth, is not uncommon in young adults. Also called third molars, wisdom teeth are the last teeth to erupt (emerge from beneath the gums), generally making their appearance between the ages of 18-24. But their debut can cause trouble: Many times, these teeth develop in a way that makes it impossible for them to erupt without negatively affecting the healthy teeth nearby. In this situation, the teeth are called “impacted.”
A number of issues can cause impacted wisdom teeth, including a tooth in an abnormal position, a lack of sufficient space in the jaw, or an obstruction that prevents proper emergence. The most common treatment for impaction is to extract (remove) one or more of the wisdom teeth. This is a routine in-office procedure that may be performed by general dentists or dental specialists.
It’s thought that perhaps 7 out of 10 people ages 20-30 have at least one impacted wisdom tooth. Some cause pain and need to be removed right away; however, this is not always the case. If a wisdom tooth is found to be impacted and is likely to result in future problems, it may be best to have it extracted before symptoms appear. Unfortunately, even with x-rays and other diagnostic tests, it isn’t always possible to predict exactly when—or if—the tooth will actually begin causing trouble. In some situations, the best option may be to carefully monitor the tooth at regular intervals and wait for a clearer sign of whether extraction is necessary.
So if you’re around the age when wisdom teeth are beginning to appear, make sure not to skip your routine dental appointments. That way, you might avoid emergency surgery when you’ve got other plans—like maybe your own world tour!
If you would like more information about wisdom tooth extraction, please call our office to arrange a consultation. You can learn more in the Dear Doctor magazine articles “Wisdom Teeth” and “Removing Wisdom Teeth.”
