What are the signs that you need your wisdom tooth extracted?

1. Impacted teeth
2. Pain and sensitivity
3. Gum inflammation
4. Development of cysts
5. Cavities and bad breath

If you’re an adult reading this, chances are high that you have already developed your third set of molars. Molars are the big, rounded teeth on the sides of your mouth that grind down food. In total, you have three sets of molars on each quadrant, top and bottom. The farthest ones are what’s called the wisdom teeth. You might have heard of other people getting these removed. For this reason, you might be interested in the signs that you need your wisdom tooth extracted.

Your wisdom teeth are the last set of teeth that develop in your mouth. Some people might not have them, while others might only have one or two. But just because you don’t see them in the mirror means that they might not be there. Because of this, your dentist will ask you to get an x-ray to confirm that you have them and to know their position. Keep on reading for some signs that you need to get yours extracted!

Impacted Teeth

For most people, jaws are done growing by the time adulthood starts — or when you’re 18 years old. But a wisdom tooth can emerge beyond those years. That’s why one of the main reasons why you need to get it removed is because it doesn’t fit right.

If your jaw doesn’t have enough room for your wisdom teeth to emerge, then they might not develop normally. If your mouth is too crowded for a new tooth, then it might grow at an angle toward the next tooth or the second molar. It could also grow towards the back of the mouth. Other than that, it will also cause problems if the tooth grows straight up but gets trapped within the jaw bone.

Your wisdom teeth are referred to as partially impacted if the crown is visible. If it doesn’t break through the gums completely, then it’s called fully impacted. Your dentist might recommend an extraction to prevent further problems on this list.

Pain and Sensitivity

One of the most obvious signs that you need to visit a dentist is a dull pain in the back of your mouth. Since your wisdom tooth is impacted, it can cause pain or swelling around your jaw. The pain could happen occasionally or persistently.

For some, the pain could also cause headaches and migraines. Other than that, you might also notice that chewing food is painful. The pain could also spread to your sinuses.

Another sign that you need to get your wisdom tooth extracted is when you’re having difficulty opening your mouth or chewing. This is because your jaw can become stiff when your wisdom teeth are developing.

Gum Inflammation

If not diagnosed early, impacted wisdom teeth might also cause issues for your gums. For one, it could lead to irritation and cause redness and swelling.

This is because the gum tissue could develop a flap near the developing wisdom tooth. Food particles and bacteria can easily get trapped in this space, which can cause an infection and inflammation. Once the swelling starts, the area can be harder to clean.

While you can try to withstand the irritation, a wisdom tooth extraction can improve the symptoms.

Development of Cysts

One of the complications that an impacted wisdom tooth can cause is cysts. These are sacs filled with fluid and can damage your nerves, teeth, and jawbone. A cyst can be removed by your dentist in addition to the affected tooth. For bigger cysts, you might need a more specialized treatment that involves draining and suturing.

In some cases, these cysts can develop into a tumor if left untreated. Treatment will usually require surgery and removal of bone and gum tissue.

Cavities and Bad Breath

A wisdom tooth can be hard to clean because it’s located at the back of the mouth, is impacted, or is painful. For this reason, it might be difficult to brush or floss normally compared to your other teeth. Bacteria and food particles can easily get trapped, especially if the tooth has only partially emerged. In the long run, this can lead to tooth decay and cavities.

Once bacteria and plaque have built up in the gum pockets caused by a developing wisdom tooth, this could also cause bad breath. You can have these cleaned professionally by a dentist, but eventually, the bacteria and plaque would build up again.

Key Takeaway

Don’t wait for these signs that you need your wisdom tooth extracted. Instead, regularly have your teeth cleaned and checked by a dentist twice a year. This way, they can spot the first signs that your wisdom teeth are coming out. It might be scary to have your wisdom teeth removed, but it can help prevent these symptoms from occurring and improve your quality of life!

If you want to schedule a consultation with us, you can contact us here at Elevate Dental! With our skilled dentists and comfortable dental clinic, you have nothing to fear when it comes to having your wisdom teeth removed.