Did you have problems when your wisdom teeth were growing?

@Theresaaiza (10487)
Australia
March 7, 2009 12:51am CST
I was already 20 years old when my first lower right wisdom tooth showed up. First it caused so much pain on the affected gum. Second, it didn't grow upright like it should be and instead, sideways. The lower left followed but up to now, it hasn't sprouted out entirely and is still covered by gums. Then both the upper ones followed just recently. The first tooth still hasn't positioned itself normally so that it has created sort of a space between my molar and itself where food debris get lodged and sometimes cause foul odor, irritation, and sometimes pain. I don't have dental caries, or tooth decay so I could say I'm pretty lucky on that part except for this wisdom tooth that's everything but "wise".
12 people like this
57 responses
@mentalward (14690)
• United States
8 Mar 09
I never even saw my wisdom teeth. All four of them were impacted, facing forward, towards the front of my jaw. When they began to grow (move forward) they squished all my other teeth together, tighter and tighter. It wasn't bad on the top, because I had a space between my two front teeth that closed up nicely, thanks to my wisdom teeth, but the bottom teeth became crooked. I developed an abscess in the lower left, apparently from the shifting teeth that were already out, which created a large enough hole for bacteria to get down in there. My dentist sent me to an oral surgeon. I had to be knocked out with medication and have all four wisdom teeth cut out. They were still very far down in my jawbone and had 9 stitches where each tooth came out. Did my face ever swell up! I was swollen from my eyebrows all the way down to my shoulders! My face looked like a basketball! I actually had to laugh at myself when I first looked in a mirror. Oh, it hurt... hurt BAD, but it was so funny! I doubt there are many people who have not had any problems with their wisdom teeth. One of my sons has had to have two of his teeth pulled because of growing in crooked like yours, and needs at least one of the remaining teeth pulled. I'm not sure why, unless it's evolution and we're outgrowing the need for so many teeth because of the foods we've been eating for centuries. I'm sure cavemen had to do a lot more chewing of their foods. Unfortunately, our jaws are getting smaller before we're just not growing wisdom teeth! Of course, there's always the theory of the reason they're called wisdom teeth. Does this mean we're getting dumber? LOL
@Theresaaiza (10487)
• Australia
11 Mar 09
I was nodding while reading your own theory of evolution. LOL. I guess that's a very wise thought! And yes, maybe we've been growing DUMB teeth for sometime now without knowing it. :-D
@ElicBxn (63638)
• United States
7 Mar 09
mine were removed in my early/mid-20's
@ElicBxn (63638)
• United States
8 Mar 09
no, but the former roommate had to have emergency wisdom tooth extraction since it turned out the root was wrapped her facial nerve
@Theresaaiza (10487)
• Australia
8 Mar 09
did it cause any discomfort or pain before extraction?
1 person likes this
@Theresaaiza (10487)
• Australia
8 Mar 09
Really?! It caused such condition? What did she feel?
1 person likes this
• United States
11 Mar 09
did i ever have problems. not only were they coming in turned in different directions,they were pushing my teeth out of line,and interfering with my jaw. best thing i ever did was to have all 4 removed. meant eating baby food for 3 days,but it was worth it.
• United States
14 Mar 09
nothing to be scared about i won't lie to you,it's uncomfortable for a little while,but in the end it's worth doing.
@Theresaaiza (10487)
• Australia
13 Mar 09
it was a good decision having them extracted. I didn't cause I am scared.
1 person likes this
@Theresaaiza (10487)
• Australia
17 Mar 09
Some cases really had traumatic experiences when it comes to the tooth extraction. One even damaged a nerve. That's what I am really scared about. LOL
• Australia
10 Jan 10
The simple answer is YES!!!! My wisdom teeth started making themselves known when I was about 16, and caused a lot of pain for me. Having a small jaw, instead of growing and sitting in the jaw bone properly, mine grew out of line with the jaw and too close the facial nerve there. I'm all set to have my top wisdom teeth removed in the next week, and then the bottome teeth about 6 months later. My dentist believes it will help ease some of the pressure on my sinuses and lessen some of the headaches I get too. The fact one of them has a big hole in it helps. It seems the last dentist to look at them wasn't as gentle as he should have been and broke through the tooth but I was still told it was fine, it would bleed for a while but would be fine. Yeah right, wonder if I can get him to pay the $800 I'm handing over to have it removed! I do have to admit to having some minor damage to all my teeth. 5 pregnancies have taken there toll (bad morning sickness) and the enamel on my teeth isn't as strong as it should be, but I am working with my dental team to fix the problem, which reminds me, I must grab another tube of the tooth mouse while there, I went through the last one too quickly because it is so yummy
• Australia
17 Jan 10
Tooth Mousse is a product that is recommended by denstist when there is a thinning of the enamel surrounding the teeth. While the bone of teeth can't grow back, the enamel is able to be renewed by such products as a tooth mousse, which will help to prevent cavities in the future. Another way to do the same thing is to eat dairy products at the end of each meal. The calcium will bind with the enamel, and help to make it stronger.
@Theresaaiza (10487)
• Australia
10 Feb 10
Oh sorry I meant to spell it "mousse". How I would hate to have a "mouse" in my mouth. I think I know what that is. we just have a different term for it locally. :)
1 person likes this
@Theresaaiza (10487)
• Australia
13 Jan 10
I've read about your own problems and I do feel sorry for you. Even tooth problems can affect the entire body in a way. Hope you dont mind me asking? Whats a tooth mouse? I am not a regular dentist visitor so there are a lot of things I do not know. :)
1 person likes this
@candymarie (1368)
• Canada
10 Mar 09
No, I never had any pain, but my dentist would always point out in my x-rays that I should get them removed soon before anything happens. I'm 24 now, but I got them taken out when I was 19, I believe that's how old I was. I remembering saying sure to it, because the next year I was going to be off of my parents medical plan. Boy oh BOY did I try to keep the bruising down, and it was in SUCH an awkward place, I had so many people asking how things were going with my boyfriend lol. (The bruises were along my jawline from the prying open and the yanking for the teeth). So no, I didn't have problems except with the people asking me questions lol.
• Canada
12 Mar 09
Yeah, lol, as soon as I said wisdom teeth, they would say, "Ooooohhhh." and nodd in understanding. lol.
@Theresaaiza (10487)
• Australia
13 Mar 09
Yeah, people often jump to conclusions. :-D
@Theresaaiza (10487)
• Australia
12 Mar 09
The bruising kind of stirred the curiosity too. :-D
• Netherlands
9 Mar 09
I agree with you, those darn wisdom teeth are not very wise are they? I was in my 20's when mine came in also and while I did not have too much problems with them coming in except a bit of pain now and then and I was lucky that they came in straight, but I still had to have them pulled a few years later because they really started to bother me. I had the same with my upper molars so I had them removed also. Best decision I've ever made. No more pain and if I had left them the rest of my teeth would have eventually been crooked as I have a small mouth and the extra teeth would have caused my others to push together and be on top of each other. Good Luck! ;)
@Theresaaiza (10487)
• Australia
12 Mar 09
I think the arrangement of my set of lower teeth is now distorted because of it. My two lower front teeth have formed a V.
1 person likes this
@Theresaaiza (10487)
• Australia
13 Mar 09
Yeah, wish me luck! Thanks
• Netherlands
12 Mar 09
I'm sorry to hear that, it it were me I would get to a Dentist and discussion my options before any more damage is done! Good Luck! ;)
• Philippines
22 Dec 09
Hi there Theresaaiza! When I was younger, my friends and relatives shared their experience about growing their wisdom teeth. Each time I hear them do that, I feel scared. I have always thought of preparing myself for it. When I grew older and finally had my wisdom tooth, I was quite uncomfortable but not as worse as how other people described it. I don't know, maybe I just had higher tolerance for pain. Or, maybe, it did not just hurt at all.
@Theresaaiza (10487)
• Australia
6 Jan 10
Don't worry, it really is a case to case basis. I've had friends who needed theirs extracted because theirs got infected, others suffered intense pain. My only problem is its growing sideways so that it formed a canal or a hole in which food debris tend to get stuck there and exudes a bad odor sometimes. I do have halitosis because of it sometimes which really compromises my confidence in talking to people.
@sid556 (30959)
• United States
11 Mar 09
I was one of the lucky few that never got wisdom teeth. I waited and waited and by 30 my dentist told me that I probably would never get them. My dad never had them either.
@Theresaaiza (10487)
• Australia
13 Mar 09
Yeah, you ARE lucky!
@irishidid (8687)
• United States
8 Mar 09
I never had any pain but I heard things that weren't real. Seriously. Which does make some sense considering where the wisdom teeth are located. My ex didn't have any wisdom teeth at all. That explained a lot.
@irishidid (8687)
• United States
11 Mar 09
He's pretty stupid. Used to tell me I was stupid to which I always replied "Must have been to marry you."
@Theresaaiza (10487)
• Australia
11 Mar 09
I also heard many fallacies about that. Like they grow when a person is wise. So if we consider that real, what about your ex? :-D
@Theresaaiza (10487)
• Australia
12 Mar 09
You should have extracted your wisdom tooth and nailed it on him! If that would help. :-D
@ladysakurax (1161)
• Canada
7 Mar 09
The dentist removed it before it started to grow. I would recommand you that you go to a dentist to get the surgery done otherwise you will suffer from pain later on. I had all 4 of them removed in 1 day. The aftermath was also painful lol but 2 weeks after the operation, you will feel better. I remember that one of the wisdom tooth broke in half and the small part was still deep in my gum. It wasn't a pleasant experience but it has to be done. Good luck
• Canada
8 Mar 09
hahaha sorry that I scared you. They will give you a shot of pain relief so you won't feel anything. If it happens that there isn't any other option but to get a surgery, close your eyes and keep your tongue still. Trust me...you don't want to see all of the instruments and you don't want to feel the string in your mouth while they will sew the holes. Apprently, I heard that everyone has to remove it soon or later. If you endure till you get around 30 years old, the root of the wisdom teeth will be incrusted even more.
@Theresaaiza (10487)
• Australia
8 Mar 09
But I'm scared it might damage a nerve or the hinges of my jawbone...stuffs like that. LOL
@Theresaaiza (10487)
• Australia
8 Mar 09
I'm scared about the aftermaths! But if my wisdom teeth should cause any problem, I won't have second thoughts about having them pulled out.
@deejean06 (1952)
• United States
9 Mar 09
My wisdom teeth were coming in and pushing all my other teeth out of the way! So of course I had all four of them removed - all the teeth couldn't fit into my mouth so they had to go. You might have to have the same surgery. There is nothing worse than dental pain and I hope you get this taken care of soon! Good luck!
@Theresaaiza (10487)
• Australia
12 Mar 09
Yeah, wish me luck, deejean on whatever decision I might end up making. :-)
@deejean06 (1952)
• United States
12 Mar 09
I wish you luck and the least amount of pain as possible!
• Canada
8 Mar 09
Heh, mine are not even in yet. I dread the day when I have to get them extracted because my friend just got her's out a couple weeks ago, and now she might have some nerve damage.
@Theresaaiza (10487)
• Australia
9 Mar 09
How is she now? This is one of the reasons why I don;t wanna have them pulled.
@Theresaaiza (10487)
• Australia
8 Mar 09
Nerve damage??!!!
• Canada
8 Mar 09
Yeah, she has some numbness around her cheeks and chin which she initially thought was the lingering effects of the anesthetic, but it's been weeks and it hasn't gone away.
• India
7 Mar 09
hi lotter iam 32 and my any wisdom tooth is not yet grown ,can u tell me y?
@Theresaaiza (10487)
• Australia
7 Mar 09
Oh dear, I'm no dentist so I really have no idea. Well, whatever the reason, I don't think it's something severe. Perhaps you're just a bit late.
@Theresaaiza (10487)
• Australia
7 Mar 09
How come I wasn't as lucky as shiwang?
@Theresaaiza (10487)
• Australia
7 Mar 09
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wisdom_teeth for further understanding. Goodluck!:-)
@myramae19 (667)
• Philippines
1 Jan 10
hi believe it or not my wisdom teeth just showed up last year, I was 24 they both showed up at the same time,I can feel they are commonly affect other teeth as they develop, i can feel it that they are both coming in sideways.I find it hard to brush them.hu hu I think i should see the dentist this month to discuss more about this.
@Theresaaiza (10487)
• Australia
6 Jan 10
Oh definitely yeah, the dentist will know what to do. Sometimes it really is better to have it taken out. Good luck though.
@mansha (6298)
• India
10 Mar 09
I remember I had a skin flap over my wisdom tooth and then had to get it removed by the doctor but then my one of the wisdom tooth grew slanted so it was overlapping the one behind it , the lst one and over th years the tooth below it deteriorated and no one not even me realised it and it never pained me too but during one checkup my doctor realised that and he extracted the tooth and funnily it didn't even pained when extracted too. Lucky for me now I have one less tooth but its fine.
@Theresaaiza (10487)
• Australia
12 Mar 09
Yeah you are lucky!
@mflower2053 (3223)
• United States
9 Mar 09
I'm 29 and my first wisdom tooth has come out. Its not all the way out and is causing no pain so it will stay there until it does. The dentist said it was growing in my cheek? He said I should get it pulled before it causes pain but I think I will wait rofl. I have a fear of needles and I'm already freaking out b/c I have to have another tooth worked on. I wanted them to pull it and they talked me out of it so they did a root canal and now its not healing underneath the tooth so they have to go back in and fix it all over. Pain in the a$$ its not bothering me so I won't worry about it. I knew something was totally wrong with it when I first went in b/c it was making the whole side of my face hurt really bad so I was ready for it to be pulled. Money hungry dentist.
@Theresaaiza (10487)
• Australia
12 Mar 09
And sometimes, they just don't have an idea on exactly what to do.
@applefreak (3130)
• Singapore
11 Mar 09
yes i had some minor problems when my wisdom teeth were growing. it started with the two on my upper jaw. they grew together and thus forcing all the teeth on my upper jaw together. i started bleeding in between my teeth and had no choice but to have them extracted. the same thing happened when the two on my lower jaw started growing. thankfully all four were growing normally so all i had to do is have them extracted.
@Theresaaiza (10487)
• Australia
12 Mar 09
Finally, you're free from the bothersome wisdom teeth!
@rainmark (4302)
9 Mar 09
Hi there,i can't remember that time, all my teeth grown properly and i only suffered less paid for my wisdom teeth. I think i little bit lucky lolz. Happy posting.
@Theresaaiza (10487)
• Australia
12 Mar 09
Good. That's very good!
• Australia
9 Mar 09
I had all four pulled out last July (19 yrs old) and it wasn't too bad. It was a relieve to get them out as my wisdom teeth were hurting my gum and food did get lodge between my teeth often. My wisdom teeth were growing sideways and pushing against my other teeth so it was best to get them out as soon as possible. At that, the dentist also suggested to get the top two taken out. So i suggest taking your wisdom teeth out if they're causing you trouble. If you wait and they start to decay due to lodged debris, it'll spread to neighbouring teeth.
@Theresaaiza (10487)
• Australia
12 Mar 09
That's really scary.I dunno, I have to think about it for the meantime.
• China
9 Mar 09
i have the same problem, and i suffered a lot, so i decided to remove those teeth, and i already removed two.
@Theresaaiza (10487)
• Australia
12 Mar 09
Life IS filled with sufferings. *sigh