Introduction
Canker sores, also known asaphthous ulcers, are small, painful wounds that can form in the mouth. They are caused by various factors such as stress, food allergies, and mechanical damage to the mouth lining. Wisdom teeth, or third molars, are the last teeth to erupt in the mouth and often don't have enough space to fit properly. This can lead to a range of problems, including impaction, infection, and damage to nearby teeth.
Canker Sores
What Are Canker Sores?
Canker sores are small, shallow lesions that develop on the soft tissues in the mouth or at the gum base. They are caused by various factors such as minor mouth injuries from dental work, overzealous brushing, accidental cheek biting, food sensitivity, allergic responses to mouth bacteria, emotional stress, and more. Canker sores can also result from certain conditions and diseases like celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, HIV/AIDS, and a faulty immune system attacking healthy cells in the mouth.
How Do You Know if You Have Canker Sores?
Canker sores appear as round or oval lesions with white or yellow centers and a red border. They form inside the mouth or under the tongue, the gum base, or the soft palate. You will notice tingling and burning sensations for a couple of days before the sores appear. Different types of canker sores include minor, significant, and herpetiform canker sores.
How Are Canker Sores Treated?
Minor canker sores usually do not require treatment and clear by themselves in a week or two. Unfortunately, significant or persistent and painful canker sores need medical attention. Dentists can recommend different treatment options for you to help overcome canker sores. If having multiple canker sores, the dentist may prescribe a mouth rinse containing steroids to alleviate pain and inflammation or lidocaine for pain relief. In addition, over-the-counter and prescription gels, liquids, creams, and pastes may help relieve pain and speed healing when applied to individual canker sores soon after they appear. Some products contain active ingredients like benzocaine and hydrogen peroxide, et cetera.
Wisdom Teeth Emergence
What Are ImpactedList Wisdom Teeth?
Impactored wisdom teeth are wisdom teeth that become stuck (or impacted) in the jawbone before they have a chance to fully erupt. This usually happens because there isn't enough space for the teeth to erupt properly, typically due to a lack of room in the arch.
What Can Happen When Wisdom Teeth Are Impacted?
Impacted wisdom teeth can lead to a range of problems, including:
- Infection: Wisdom teeth that are impacted and don't erupt properly can become infected. This infection can leading to pain and swelling and can spread throughout the body.
- Gum Disease: The gums surrounding the impacted teeth can get inflamed due to bacterial growth.
- Tooth Decay: Bacteria can colonize on the teeth and lead to decay, which can be particularly difficult to treat if the wisdom teeth are impacted.
- Damage to Surrounding Teeth: Impacted wisdom teeth can cause injury and movement of neighboring teeth.
- Ulcers: The impacted teeth can rub against the cheek, leading to ulcers or sores.
- Cysts: An impacted wisdom tooth can develop a cyst within the jawbone, which can create a tumor that may need to be removed.
Removing Impacted Wisdom Teeth
Why Remove Impacted Wisdom Teeth?
Removing impacted wisdom teeth is often recommended to prevent or address the associated complications. By removing the wisdom teeth, patients can prevent future issues such as:
- Pain and Swelling: Infected impacted wisdom teeth can lead to significant pain and swelling.
- Gum Disease: Gum disease can develop as a result of bacterial growth around the impacted teeth.
- Tooth Decay: Without intervention, impacted wisdom teeth can become increasingly decayed.
- Damage to Surrounding Teeth: The teeth next to the impacted wisdom teeth can be damaged.
- Ulcers: Ulcers or sores can form on the cheek due to the impacted teeth.
- Cysts: Cysts can develop within the jawbone, potentially causing significant problems.
How Is Wisdom Teeth Removal Performed?
Wisdom teeth extraction is a surgical procedure performed under local or general anesthesia. The procedure involves carefully removing the impacted wisdom teeth through the gums. The approach can vary depending on the difficulty of the extraction and the specific needs of the patient.
##Understanding the difference between canker sores and impacted wisdom teeth is crucial for ensuring proper care and treatment. If you're experiencing either of these conditions, it's important to seek professional dental advice and treatment. By doing so, patients can avoid future complications and maintain optimal oral health.
