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Frequently Asked Questions
Wisdom Teeth | Date Posted: 12/1/2001
| Question
My wisdom teeth are impacted. So what?
| Answer
The common problems that can arise with impacted teeth are infections of the gum around the teeth, decay and resorption of adjacent functioning teeth, and gum disease around the molar teeth.
Rare complications are cysts and tumours that can grow around impacted teeth.
Some people feel that impacted wisdom teeth can contribute to crowding.
For those who play contact sport, most fractured jaws occur at the site of impacted teeth, as they can create a point of weakness. Most footballers who have broken their jaws have not had their wisdom teeth removed.
Infections are by far the most common problem, and although they can respond to antibiotics, the only real way to treat it is to remove the source of the problem. A small number of people who do not treat these infections seriously, especially people with other health problems, can have severe, even life threatening complications with wisdom tooth infections.
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More questions in this category:
What are wisdom teeth?
Does everyone have wisdom teeth?
What is impaction?
My wisdom teeth are impacted. So what?
My wisdom teeth don't bother me now. Why not wait until they cause me problems?
Who can remove my wisdom teeth?
Can there be problems with extraction of wisdom teeth?
Does everyone need to have his or her wisdom teeth out?
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The ADA and the Local Organising Committee invite all associated with dentistry to participate in the Australian Dental Congress and Exhibition in Perth.
Mark the dates in your diaries 12-15 March 2009
Dental Health Week is a community awareness program coordinated and funded by the ADA. In 2008 the ADA is leading a campaign to target 30-50 year olds and has developed a range of Fact Sheets on oral health care. August 4 - 10 is Dental Health Week
Click here for previous Dental Health Week material.
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