Our Location:
Schupack Family Dentistry
850 N Main Street Ext
Wallingford, CT 06492
(203) 269-4249
Find answers and other helpful dental topics in our digital library.
Our Blog:
Archive:
- 2019
- 2018
- 2017
- 2016
- 2015
- 2014
- 2013
- 2012
Tags
- common symptoms (1)
- oral health (21)
- teeth whitening (3)
- cosmetic dentistry (6)
- oral hygiene (11)
- dental injury (4)
- dental emergency (2)
- bad breath (1)
- braces (5)
- orthodontics (4)
- tooth decay (5)
- dry mouth (2)
- smile makeover (2)
- tooth pain (3)
- mouthguard (1)
- pediatric dentistry (5)
- teeth wear (1)
- eating disorders (1)
- bruxism (1)
- dental appliance (1)
- pregnancy (3)
- crowns (5)
- nutrition (4)
- wisdom teeth (3)
- gum disease (3)
- dental care (1)
- root canal treatment (1)
- anesthesia (1)
- chipped teeth (1)
- tmj disorders (1)
- celebrity smiles (26)
- toothpaste (2)
- dental implants (7)
- dentures (2)
- mouthguards (2)
- air abrasion (1)
- porcelain veneers (3)
- mouth rash (1)
- orthodontic treatment (2)
- retainers (1)
- x-rays (1)
- dental visits (1)
- chipped tooth (2)
- antibiotics (1)
- dental injuries (1)
- dentistry (1)
- abscessed tooth (1)
- shingles (3)
- mouth sores (1)
- toothbrush (1)
- root canal (1)
- tooth wear (1)
- teeth grinding (1)
- tooth replacement (1)
- missing teeth (1)
- sleep apnea (2)
- snoring (2)
- retainer (1)
- fluoride (1)
- smoking (1)
- extraction (1)
- osteoporosis (1)
- GERD (1)
- flossing (1)
Categories:
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.”