What Are Wisdom Tooth

What Kind of Problems Can They Develop For You

What are Wisdom teeth?
Wisdom Teeth are the last set of molars that most people get. They are also called Third Molars. When properly aligned, they are beneficial, but they often require extraction because they cause problems.

What are the Problems caused by wisdom teeth?
Your jaw may not be large enough for them, they may become impacted and unable to break through your gums.
Your wisdom teeth may break partway through your gums, causing a flap of gum tissue to grow over them. Food and germs can get trapped under the flap and cause your gums to become red, swollen, and painful. These are signs of infection.
More serious problems can develop from impacted teeth, such as infection, damage to other teeth and bone, or a cyst.
One or more of your wisdom teeth may come in at an awkward angle, with the top of the tooth facing forward, backward or to either side.
Do I need to have my Wisdom Teeth removed?
To determine if you have wisdom teeth that need to be removed, our dentists at East Market Dental use Digital X-rays and 3D Scan to exactly find the location and orientation of these teeth in your jawbone. You can schedule a Consultation at our office where the Dentist can assess if your Wisdom Teeth require removal.
Impacted Wisdom Teeth seen on X-ray

What is a 3D Scan?
A 3D Scan is the most advanced technology used in Dental Offices these days. Only a very few Dental Offices have them but this scan can show the dentist how your wisdom teeth are located inside of your bone in 3D. It also tells them how difficult it would be to remove these teeth and potential dangers during the extraction of these teeth.
The Scan itself is totally painless. You will be positioned in front of the 3D Machine with your head positioned and the machine goes around your head in less than half a minute, not touching you at all.

Surgeon General's Report On Oral Health

Major Findings You Need To Know

Oral Health In America: Summary of the Surgeon General's Report


The major message of the report is that oral health means much more than healthy teeth, and is integral to the general health and well-being of all Americans. Oral health must be included in the provision of health care and design of community programs.

Safe and effective means of maintaining oral health that everyone can adopt to improve oral health and prevent disease have benefited the majority of Americans over the past half century. However, many experience needless pain and suffering, complications that can devastate overall health and well-being, and financial and social costs that significantly diminish the quality of life.

Action at all levels of society, from individuals to communities and the Nation as a whole, are needed to maintain the health and well-being of Americans already enjoying good oral health and to address the disparities in oral health status. A coordinated effort can overcome the educational, environmental, social, health systems and financial barriers that have created vulnerable populations whose oral health is at risk.

Major Findings

Oral diseases and disorders in and of themselves affect health and well-being through life.
There are safe and effective measures to prevent the most common dental diseases – dental caries and periodontal diseases.
Lifestyle behaviors that affect general health such as tobacco use, excessive alcohol use, and poor dietary choices affect oral and craniofacial health as well.
There are profound and consequential oral health disparities within the American population.
More information is needed to improve America's oral health and eliminate health disparities.
The mouth reflects general health and well-being.

Oral diseases and conditions are associated with other health problems.
Scientific research is key to further reduction in the burden of diseases and disorders that affect the face, mouth, and teeth.

Tooth Decay Among Americans

Steps To Improvements

The Problem
One in five people have untreated tooth decay which can lead to pain and infection and ultimately to problems speaking, eating, working, and playing. When tooth decay in very young children requires extensive treatment under general anesthesia in a hospital operating room, costs can increase by thousands of dollars. Timely delivery of fluorides and dental sealants to at-risk people reduces tooth decay and treatment costs. Residence in a fluoridated community also can reduce the percentage of young children receiving dental treatment in a hospital operating room.3

Total U.S. dental expenditures for children 0 to 21 years in 2012 exceeded $25 billion dollars. 830,000 emergency room visits were due to preventable dental conditions. Water fluoridation can yield an annual return on investment of between $5 and $32 for every $1 spent depending on community size. Delivering sealants to high-risk children saves Medicaid $6 per tooth sealed over a 4-year period.

What Can Be Done?
Fluoride varnish re-mineralizes weakened tooth enamel and prevents almost 40 percent of cavities in primary teeth.6 Experts recommend that all infants and children receive fluoride varnish starting when the first tooth erupts.7,8 Integrating preventive dental care into well child visits can magnify the community impact of the intervention by increasing the number of children receiving fluoride varnish.

Dental sealants provide a physical barrier on the chewing surfaces of permanent molars and prevent over 80 percent of cavities 2 years after placement.9 Experts recommend sealant programs administered through schools to increase the number of children who receive sealants. These programs typically target schools attended by a large number of children at high risk for tooth decay. Studies indicate that delivering sealants to high-risk children can offer Medicaid a positive return on investment at 2 years.10
Community water fluoridation is a safe and effective way to provide optimal levels of fluoride to prevent tooth decay. Experts recommend community water fluoridation to reduce tooth decay among children and adults. Children living in communities initiating water fluoridation have 2.25 fewer decayed teeth11 and lower treatment costs3,12,13 than similar children living in non-fluoridated communities. For the general population, there is an estimated annual return on investment for fluoridated communities between $5 and $32 per person depending on the size of the community.14