What to Watch Out For With Your Wisdom Teeth
Because they are the last teeth to grow in a person’s mouth, wisdom teeth are susceptible to a few common problems. Since these teeth grow at the back of the mouth where there isn’t enough space, they can develop in the wrong shape and position. Some wisdom tooth problems are not easily detectable until discomfort becomes evident. Removal is the best option at that point. Most medical professionals recommend removing wisdom teeth as early as possible. No need to wait until symptoms appear.
Whether your wisdom teeth have come in or not, they can still pose a major problem. For example, a wisdom tooth becomes impacted if it is unable to break through the gum. Impacted wisdom teeth cause infections, tooth decay, receding gums, tooth loss, bone loss, damaged teeth, loosened teeth and periodontal disease. So, before any of these complications occur, you should talk to your doctor about removing your wisdom teeth. Remember that just because you don’t feel pain it doesn’t mean your wisdom teeth are fine. Most of these problems manifest themselves at later stages when very little can be done to remedy the problem easily.
You should make a point of seeing a dentist regularly so that they can recognize potential problems before they happen. Here are some signs that you and your dentist can look out for when diagnosing a problematic wisdom tooth.
Tender and bleeding gums
When a wisdom tooth lacks enough space in your gum to grow, it will squeeze the neighboring molar, which leads to inflammations. Since most of these inflammations are internal, you only feel them through tenderness and bleeding in the gums. Sometimes they cause red and swollen gums.
Jaw Pain
An impacted wisdom tooth will irritate the muscles, bone and nerves in the jaw, causing pain and swelling. These complications will have serious impact on your daily life, sometimes even keeping you in bed for the whole day.
Bad Breath
Since an impacted wisdom tooth is likely to cause decay, bad breath and an unpleasant taste in the mouth are inevitable. This can cause uncomfortable or awkward social situations when talking or sitting next to someone.
One of the best things you can do for your children is get regular appointments for oral health during their formative years. Issues like rogue wisdom teeth don’t need to follow your kids until it becomes serious. Find out if your kids (or you!) would benefit from getting troublesome wisdom teeth removed.
See An Oral Surgeon
If you suspect you may have wisdom teeth causing issues such as pain or tender gums, it’s best to schedule with a board-certified oral surgeon like Dr. Sharma today to learn your options on how we can treat this common condition. Call or fill our contact form out today!