Can an impacted wisdom tooth cause tumor?

In a report on PinoyMD, Dr. Maureen Manzano said a wisdom tooth also known as the third molar is the last one to grow in a person's oral cavity.

Additionally, she said a wisdom tooth usually grows in a person's oral cavity when they are between 17 to 21 years old.

Dr. Maureen said what causes toothache is when the development of the wisdom tooth is impacted or when it is lying horizontally.

Dr. Maureen said this happens due to the lack of space since the wisdom tooth is the last to develop in a person's oral cavity.

"Kadalasan dahil sila ang last na tumutubo kulang na 'yung space kumbaga lumilihis sila ng tubo minsan nagiging pahiga or horizontal maling tubo ng ating third molar," she said.

While Dr. Maureen said it is best to consult your dentist when this happens, she said those with toothache can try to gargle oral antiseptic with anti-bacterial properties or drink mefenamic acid for pain.

She said when there are no symptoms, discomfort, or swelling, there is no need to remove the wisdom tooth. 

For those advised by their dentist to have their wisdom teeth removed, they will undergo odontectomy.

The case isn't the same for Angel Macompal who had a similar impacted wisdom tooth dilemma when she was 18 years old.

Her mother Rachel said when they consulted the dentist, they found out that her daughter had an impacted wisdom tooth.

She was then advised to drink antibiotics to lessen the swelling.

After more than a week, the swelling didn't go away and it only got worse.

The mother and daughter decided to go back to the dentist and was advised to have the wisdom tooth removed.

However, Angel's condition did not get better and the swelling on her cheek and mouth got worse.

When they went back to see a doctor, they were shocked when they found out that Angel has Stage 4 Mesenchymal Chondrosarcoma, a type of bone cancer.

"Naawa ako sa anak ko pero wala akong magagawa tutulungan ko siya hangga't kaya ko," Angel's mother Rachel said in the video.

According to the mother, her daughter still wants to pursue college hoping that she gets better one day.

In the report, Dr. Maureen clarified that Angel's wisdom tooth is not the cause of the tumor.

"Maaring meron na siyang pre-existing bone condition 'eto ang tinatawag na sarcoma or cancer or tumor sa bone muscles," she said.

"So hindi siya related sa wisdom tooth nagkataon lang na ito ay tumutubo kung nasaan area ng wisdom tooth."

Dr. Maureen said Angel's condition is "rare, very agressive, malignant type of tumor na kadalasan na tumutubo sa bandang maxillary area ng ating oral cavity kung saan nandun din si wisdom tooth."

The report said Angel has to finish her chemotherapy sessions before she can undergo an operation. —JAB, GMA News.

To those who want to coordinate in helping Angel. You may contact Rachel Macompal 09554038462.