Gigi Bongsu (Wisdom Teeth): Tumbuh, Sakit, Cabut & Kos

Gigi bongsu (wisdom teeth) are the last teeth to come through, usually between the ages of 17 and 21. Many cause no problems, but a wisdom tooth that does not have enough space can get stuck (impacted) or come through only partly, leading to pain, swollen gums, a gum infection called pericoronitis, tooth decay or an abscess. A wisdom tooth that is not causing problems is usually left in place and checked at routine dental visits. If it does need to come out, removal is usually done under local anaesthetic, and pain and swelling usually start to improve after 1 or 2 days. This guide explains why wisdom teeth hurt, when removal is advised, what happens on the day, recovery, complications and costs in Malaysia.

Apa itu gigi bongsu (gigi geraham bongsu)?

Wisdom teeth, called gigi bongsu or gigi geraham bongsu in Malay, are the third set of molars at the very back of the mouth (MedlinePlus). They develop later than the other teeth (NHS).

Not everyone has trouble with them. MedlinePlus says impacted wisdom teeth are very common, but they are often painless and do not cause problems. Trouble usually starts when there is not enough room for a wisdom tooth to come through properly.

Gigi bongsu tumbuh umur berapa?

• MedlinePlus says wisdom teeth are the last teeth to erupt and usually come in between the ages of 17 and 21.
• The NHS says they usually start coming through in your teens or early 20s, but they can cause problems at any age.

So wisdom tooth problems can start in your 20s, 30s or later. A wisdom tooth that is fully impacted stays under the gum and may never come through at all (MedlinePlus).

Gigi bongsu senget or impacted: why it gets stuck

A tooth that does not come through the gum, or comes through only partly, is called impacted (gigi bongsu terbenam). According to MedlinePlus, this can happen because:

• the jaw is too small to fit the wisdom teeth, so there is no room for them to come through;
• the tooth becomes twisted, tilted (senget) or displaced as it tries to come through.

The NHS says a wisdom tooth may be blocked by another tooth or partly covered by the gum. A dentist may take X-rays to check how your wisdom teeth are positioned.

In Malaysia: a 10-year study from Universiti Sains Malaysia in Kelantan looked at X-rays of 490 patients referred for oral surgery, with an average age of about 29. The most common pattern was a mesioangular impaction, where the wisdom tooth tilts forward towards the tooth in front. The most common related problem was tooth decay in the wisdom tooth or the molar next to it, seen in about 15% of cases (Ahmad et al., 2021).

Sakit gigi bongsu: symptoms and pericoronitis

A wisdom tooth that is fully buried may cause no symptoms at all (MedlinePlus). Problems are more likely when a tooth is partly through the gum. The NHS says a wisdom tooth without enough space can cause:

• pain and swelling;
• an infection of the gum around the tooth (pericoronitis);
• food getting stuck;
• tooth decay and gum disease;
• a build-up of fluid around the tooth (a cyst);
• a dental abscess.

MedlinePlus explains that a partly erupted tooth can trap food, plaque and other debris in the gum around it, making the gum inflamed and tender. Symptoms of a partly impacted wisdom tooth can include:

MedlinePlus also notes that as the gum swells over an impacted wisdom tooth and then drains and tightens, it can feel as if the tooth came through and then went back down again.

Swollen gums at the back of the mouth have other causes too; see our guide to gusi bengkak. For other kinds of tooth pain, see sakit gigi, and for painful sores on the inside of the cheeks or on the tongue, see ulser mulut.

Petua hilangkan sakit gigi bongsu while you wait

Home care can ease the pain, but it does not fix a tooth that has no room to come through. While you wait to see a dentist:

• take painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, following the dose on the pack (NHS); children under 16 should not take aspirin (NHS);
• rinse with warm salt water, about half a teaspoon (3 g) of salt in a cup (240 ml) of water, or use an over-the-counter mouthwash to soothe the gums (MedlinePlus);
• eat soft foods such as soup, scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes and yoghurt, and avoid very hot or very cold food and drink (NHS);
• use a soft toothbrush to clean your teeth (NHS).

According to the NHS, see a dentist if you have toothache that:

• lasts more than 2 days, or does not go away when you take painkillers;
• comes with a high temperature, pain when you bite, red gums or a bad taste in your mouth;
• comes with a swollen cheek or jaw.

Call 999 or go to the emergency department if you have tooth pain and the area around your eye or your neck is swollen, or swelling in your mouth or neck is making it hard to breathe, swallow or speak (NHS).

Perlu cabut gigi bongsu? When removal is advised

Not every wisdom tooth needs to come out. The NHS says that if a wisdom tooth is not causing problems, it will usually be left where it is and checked at your routine dental check-ups. You might need it removed if it does not have enough space to come through fully and is causing problems.

In the UK, guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), first published in 2000 and now being updated, advises that impacted wisdom teeth that are not causing disease should not be removed just in case. It limits surgery to teeth with problems such as:

• tooth decay that cannot be repaired;
• an abscess or a spreading infection (cellulitis);
• a cyst or tumour around the tooth;
• a broken tooth, or the wisdom tooth or the teeth next to it being worn away (resorption).

For pericoronitis, NICE says a first episode, unless it is particularly severe, is not by itself a reason for surgery, but a second or later episode is.

On timing, MedlinePlus says that having wisdom teeth removed before age 20 often has better results than waiting until you are older, because the roots are not yet fully developed, which makes the tooth easier to remove and helps healing. Your dentist will look at your symptoms and X-rays and talk through the options with you.

Pembedahan gigi bongsu: what happens on the day

A dentist may be able to remove the tooth, or may refer you to a specialist (NHS). MedlinePlus says removal is most often done by an oral surgeon. In Malaysia, you can start with a government dental clinic (klinik pergigian) or a private dentist, who can refer you to an oral surgery clinic if needed.

According to the NHS:

• you will usually have a local anaesthetic injection to numb the gum, so you will not feel pain;
• you may have sedation or a general anaesthetic (where you are asleep) if the tooth is more difficult to remove or you are anxious.

The main steps are:

1. the dentist or surgeon cuts the gum if it is covering the tooth;
2. they widen the socket where the tooth sits;
3. the tooth is removed in 1 piece, or cut into 2 or 3 pieces;
4. the gum is stitched if needed, using dissolvable stitches.

The NHS says it often takes just a few minutes and should take no more than 40 minutes. You will usually go home the same day, but you might need to stay in hospital overnight after a general anaesthetic. If the tooth is infected, antibiotics may be prescribed before the extraction (MedlinePlus).

Lepas cabut gigi bongsu: recovery, makan and pantang

Most people can go back to normal activities the day after removal. If the tooth was more difficult to remove or you had a general anaesthetic, you might need 1 to 3 days off work (NHS). For up to 2 weeks afterwards, the NHS says:

• you will usually have some pain and swelling, which should start to improve after 1 or 2 days;
• you might have bruising on your cheek;
• your jaw may be sore and stiff;
• chewing and swallowing may feel uncomfortable.

A blood clot forms over the wound and helps it heal. Many people search for pantang lepas cabut gigi bongsu; the NHS advice for the first few days is:

Stitches dissolve by themselves (NHS).

Complications: dry socket, infection and numbness

Wisdom tooth removal is usually a simple procedure, but complications can happen. The NHS lists:

• dry socket: a painful condition where the blood clot over the socket does not form properly or is dislodged before the gum has healed;
• an infection, which may need antibiotics;
• nerve damage, causing numbness or tingling in the tongue, lips and chin, which usually gets better but can last a few weeks or months.

Dry socket: guidance from the Scottish Dental Clinical Effectiveness Programme (SDCEP) says it is most common after a molar is removed, and people who smoke are more at risk. Signs include:

• pain starting about 24 to 48 hours after the extraction, around the extraction site;
• no blood clot in the socket, so it may look empty;
• an unpleasant taste or smell from the area;
• occasionally, swelling.

SDCEP advises people with a dry socket to avoid smoking, keep the mouth clean, rinse with salt water (but not on the day of the extraction) and get urgent dental care. The dentist can clean the socket and place a dressing to ease the pain.

The NHS says to ask for an urgent dental appointment after wisdom tooth removal if:

• you have bleeding that does not stop;
• pain and swelling are severe or getting worse and painkillers are not helping;
• you have pain with a bad taste in your mouth, a high temperature or you feel unwell.

Kos cabut gigi bongsu in Malaysia

There is no single price for kos cabut gigi bongsu in Malaysia. Fees vary from clinic to clinic, and between government and private clinics. Before the procedure, ask for a written quote and check what it includes, such as:

• the consultation and X-rays;
• the removal itself, and whether a surgical removal is needed;
• any sedation or general anaesthetic;
• medicines and follow-up visits.

If you have a medical card, insurance, takaful or employee dental benefits, check what they cover before you book.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Gigi bongsu tumbuh umur berapa (at what age do wisdom teeth come through)?

Wisdom teeth are the last teeth to come through. MedlinePlus says they usually come in between the ages of 17 and 21, and the NHS says they usually start coming through in your teens or early 20s. They can cause problems at any age, and some never come through at all.

Adakah semua gigi bongsu perlu dicabut (do all wisdom teeth need to be removed)?

No. The NHS says that if a wisdom tooth is not causing problems, it will usually be left where it is and checked at your routine dental check-ups. In the UK, NICE advises against removing impacted wisdom teeth that are not causing any disease. Your dentist will suggest removal if the tooth causes problems such as repeated gum infections, tooth decay, an abscess or a cyst.

Kenapa gigi bongsu sakit (why does a wisdom tooth hurt)?

A wisdom tooth often hurts when there is not enough space for it to come through fully. A tooth that is partly through the gum can trap food and plaque, which can lead to a painful gum infection called pericoronitis, as well as tooth decay, gum disease or an abscess. Symptoms can include swollen, red gums, bad breath, an unpleasant taste and a sore jaw.

Petua hilangkan sakit gigi bongsu (how to ease wisdom tooth pain at home)?

While you wait to see a dentist, painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen can help. MedlinePlus says rinsing with warm salt water (half a teaspoon of salt in a cup of water) or an over-the-counter mouthwash may soothe the gums. Soft foods can also help. These steps only ease the pain, so see a dentist if the pain lasts more than 2 days or comes with swelling, a bad taste or a high temperature.

Berapa lama sakit lepas cabut gigi bongsu (how long does pain last after removal)?

The NHS says that for up to 2 weeks after removal you will usually have some pain and swelling, which should start to improve after 1 or 2 days. You may also have a bruised cheek and a stiff, sore jaw. Most people can go back to normal activities the day after, but you may need 1 to 3 days off work if the removal was more difficult or you had a general anaesthetic.

Apa itu dry socket (what is a dry socket)?

A dry socket is a painful condition where the blood clot over the tooth socket does not form properly or is dislodged before the gum has healed. Pain usually starts 24 to 48 hours after the extraction, with an unpleasant taste or smell, and the socket may look empty. People who smoke are more at risk. See your dentist, who can clean and dress the socket.

Berapa kos cabut gigi bongsu di Malaysia (how much does wisdom tooth removal cost)?

The cost varies from clinic to clinic, and between government and private clinics. It also depends on what is included, such as the consultation, X-rays, the removal itself, any sedation, medicines and follow-up visits. Ask the clinic for a written quote before the procedure, and check with your employer or insurer about what they cover.

Disclaimer

This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for advice, diagnosis or treatment from a dentist or doctor. Health supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

References

• Wisdom tooth removal — NHS
• Toothache — NHS
• Dental abscess — NHS
• Impacted tooth — MedlinePlus, US National Library of Medicine
• Guidance on the extraction of wisdom teeth (TA1) — National Institute for Health and Care Excellence
• Alveolar osteitis (dry socket) — Scottish Dental Clinical Effectiveness Programme
• Ahmad P, et al. Pattern of third molar impactions in north-eastern peninsular Malaysia: a 10-year retrospective study. Niger J Clin Pract. 2021;24(7):1028-1036