What’s The Story Behind The Wisdom Teeth And Why Is It Painful?

“A Wise tooth is a painful affair.”

We have often heard of the term ‘The Wisdom Tooth’ that comes with a lot of pain, but what exactly is a wisdom tooth, and why is it painful?

There are many stories attached to the name ‘Wisdom tooth.’ The Dutch have called the wisdom tooth ‘Verstandskiezen,’ which meant the wise one. In the beautiful Latin language, it is called ‘dens sapientiae,’ which also means wisdom. From the dentistry point of view, the logic behind the name comes from its origin; the tooth usually emerged at the age of 17-21 years; this is the age when one enters adulthood and is considered to be matured and wise. Well! We do not know if the wisdom tooth makes us wise, but it is a proven fact that the occurrence of the wisdom tooth brings a lot of pain.

Wisdom teeth come with a lot of pain. It usually takes up to three months for the wisdom tooth to fully emerge, and the pain is persistent for this entire period. Further, if the wisdom tooth is infected, it can lead to various gum diseases. The American Dental Association recommends the early removal of the wisdom tooth.

What Is A Wisdom Tooth?

Since our birth, till the time of early adolescence, i.e., till the age of 14, we develop our primary set of teeth, lose them and get a brand-new set of permanent teeth again. By the time we reach the age of 21, the last stage of molars emerges, called wisdom teeth.

Technically our tooth develops in a specific order, and thus the third molar that appears back from the front of your face are the last ones to emerge. We might not remember the irritation of teething when we were infants, but as adults, we understand the discomfort when we experience wisdom tooth pain.

Why Does Wisdom Tooth Pain?

There could be various reasons for wisdom tooth pain, it could be due to limited space and overcrowding, or it could be because of crooked wisdom tooth growth. In both cases, it can lead to discomfort and pain. Thus, it is advisable to remove the wisdom teeth before it becomes a problem. According to the American Association of Oral Surgeons, various factors support the removal of wisdom teeth. 

1. Hard To Clean

As we know, wisdom teeth are the last set of molars to erupt; thus, they get less space to grow. Therefore, it is tough to clean the surrounding gums. Dirty or unclean gums might lead to infection, gum bleeding, and inflammation. Further dental research indicates that gum inflammation can lead to complications during pregnancy and childbirth.

2. Serves No Purpose

In a research document created by anthropologists, the real use of the last set of molars was for our ancestors’ benefit. These sharp molars helped them to chew raw and hard food like nuts, roots, and many other raw foods, derived from nature. However, today we do not live that kind of life. Therefore the role of wisdom tooth in our modern lifestyle is redundant.

3. Cysts And Nerve Damage

The infected wisdom tooth can lead to various complications; due to lack of space, it could lead to gum injury and may also cause the growth of painful cysts. If these cysts remain untreated for a long time, then they can muffle out the jaws and result in nerve damage.

4. Headaches And Migraines

If the wisdom teeth erupt near the jaw’s nerve, it might lead to

nerve irritation, headaches or migraines, and pinching jaw pain. In the long run, it might get difficult for you to chew your food properly.

5. Tooth Loss And Gum Corrosion

If you experience gum inflammation due to a wisdom tooth, it is advisable to remove it immediately. If not treated on time, it can result in early tooth loss, tissue damage, and receding jawbone.

The Bottom Line: 

9 out of 10 people suffer from wisdom tooth pain. The above reasons indicate the risk of an infected wisdom tooth; thus, we recommend visiting your dentist or maxillofacial expert and getting your wisdom tooth evaluated at an early stage. Studies have shown that early removal of the wisdom tooth can ensure early recovery and healthy and happy dental life.