Can a physical examination and oral examination detect problems with wisdom teeth?

Physical examination and oral examination can generally detect problems with wisdom teeth. Oral examination usually includes visual examination, palpation, and imaging examination, which can identify abnormal eruption of wisdom teeth, caries, obstruction, and other conditions. In routine oral examinations, doctors will visually observe whether wisdom teeth have fully erupted, whether there are dental caries or gum redness. If the position of wisdom teeth is not correct or partially erupts, it may be accompanied by gum coverage to form a blind pocket, which can easily breed bacteria and lead to periodontitis. Palpation can evaluate whether there is tenderness or swelling in the soft tissue around wisdom teeth, and assist in determining the degree of inflammation. For wisdom teeth that are completely buried or located in a special position, panoramic dental images or cone beam CT can clearly display the position relationship between wisdom teeth and adjacent teeth, as well as nerve tubes, and clarify the type of obstruction and potential risks. Some medical examination packages may not include imaging items, and only obvious abnormalities can be detected through clinical examination. If the physical examination reveals problems such as obstructed wisdom teeth, repeated inflammation, adjacent tooth compression, or cyst formation, it is recommended to seek further evaluation from the oral surgery department in a timely manner. Daily oral hygiene should be maintained by using a soft bristled toothbrush to clean the wisdom tooth area and avoid food impaction. When gum swelling and pain occur, it can be temporarily relieved by rinsing with warm saline water, but it cannot replace professional treatment.