In spite of their name, wisdom teeth serve us no real purpose. In fact. they can cause pain and many dental problems. Knowing what things can go wrong and which symptoms to look out for can help you to know when you will need surgical wisdom teeth extraction.
If you notice any of the following signs, or have any concerns at all regarding your wisdom teeth, make sure you book an appointment with Brookshire Smile Dental as soon as possible.
What Problems Can Wisdom Teeth Cause?
Wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, grow in at different times in different people. Usually they appear between the ages of 17 and 25. For some people they may grow in perfectly fine and not cause any problems.
For others, they can cause a number of issues, sometimes leading to surgical intervention such as wisdom teeth extraction. In some circumstances they may grow in correctly, but there may not be enough room in your mouth for them to come through with your existing teeth. This can cause crowding and can push your teeth together, causing pain and encouraging plaque and decay.
Sometimes the teeth are not situated properly within the gum, meaning that they may grow in pushing your existing teeth forward, or they may come out of the side of the gum; this can be extremely painful.
Depending on the angle and shape of your mouth, they may never grow in properly, leading to long term pain and risk of infections. In the case of impacted teeth, surgical wisdom teeth extraction is almost always necessary.
How Do You Know You’ll Need Wisdom Teeth Extraction?
There are a number of things to look out for that can let you know if it’s time to book an appointment to discuss wisdom teeth extraction. An obvious sign is if you’re experiencing pain in the area. Healthy teeth should not hurt.
Other things to look out for include swelling in the gum or jaw area, redness or tenderness in the gums, signs of infection in the tooth, bad breath or a nasty taste near the affected area. Also, unexplained headaches or jaw aches in the area or any difficulties opening your mouth or moving your neck can also point to wisdom teeth.
To be sure if any surgical invention is required, your dentist will require X-Rays and an examination. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms described here, need advice regarding wisdom teeth extraction or even if you just have general concerns, book an appointment with Brookshire Smile Dental today for our expert care and advice.