Painful Signs & Symptoms Of Wisdom Teeth That Require Removal
Unfortunately, experiencing problems with one or more wisdom teeth is far from uncommon. More than half of adults suffer as a result of them.
Wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, normally start breaking through the gums between the ages of seventeen to twenty-five. These four teeth – the ones furthest back in your mouth; one in each corner – are the final ones of the thirty-two in the adult mouth to erupt.
With the arrival of them sometimes come problematic side-effects, the symptoms of which may make it necessary for some or all of these four wisdom teeth to be removed. The reason these teeth can cause problems is because there is not always sufficient space in a person’s mouth for them to cleanly break through the gum, so they twist, tilt or become displaced.
If these partially or not visible wisdom teeth are left untreated, they can cause a range of dental problems, including infection and teeth crowding. The potential signs and symptoms of problematic wisdom teeth include:
Pain or irritation Swollen gums Bleeding gums Gum disease Tooth decay Cysts Bad breath Headache Jaw ache Jaw stiffness Swelling around the jaw If you are, or think you might be, suffering from any of these side effects, it’s recommended that you book an appointment with a dentist as soon as possible.
Do not just ignore the signs and hope they pass and eventually go away. The symptoms might stop, but might not, and it’s not a risk worth taking for the sake of a quick visit to the dentist.
This is particularly so if you’re seventeen to twenty-five and/or you can visibly see from looking in the mirror, or feel by rubbing your finger along your back teeth, that your wisdom teeth don’t look/feel right.
Your dentist can assess the signs and symptoms that you’re feeling. They will probably X-ray your mouth to get a clearer impression of the situation.
It may be the case that they find that the discomforting side-effects you’re feeling from your wisdom teeth are only short-term and will pass.
However, if they find that the symptoms you’re suffering are likely to be long-term, they will most likely recommend that you have one or more of them removed.
If you want to pre-emptively avoid the potential negative side-effects of wisdom teeth, you should consider having annual X-rays of your teeth. These can highlight forthcoming problems before the symptoms start to show.
If you’re having problems with your wisdom teeth, book an appointment at our dental clinic in London. Call 020 3792 0484, email info@thewellingtonclinic.com or send us a message using our online contact form.