Wisdom teeth, also called third molars, usually begin erupting from the gums in the late teens or early twenties. Unfortunately, the mouth does not have enough room for them in many cases, and allowing them to stay can have long-lasting negative consequences for one’s oral health. When the wisdom teeth are not able to fully erupt from the gums, they become impacted and usually require extraction. Here are three signs that you should visit a dentist to see if you have impacted wisdom teeth.
What Is an Impacted Wisdom Tooth?
If a wisdom tooth does not have enough room to emerge from the gums fully, it can grow into the jaw instead, which can lead to pain, infection, and bone loss. Otherwise, it might come in at an angle, exposing it to injury and decay. It can be hard to clean these third molars properly, which can lead to infections that might spread to the rest of the teeth or other tissues in the body. Dentists or oral surgeons may recommend that impacted wisdom teeth be removed to prevent future issues even if they are not currently bothering the patient.
Three Signs of Impacted Wisdom Teeth
There are a few signs that say your wisdom teeth aren’t in a healthy position. Three of them are:
Pain when chewing
Pain is often the first sign of impacted wisdom teeth. As they force their way through the gums, the wisdom teeth can begin to push against their neighboring molars, limiting their movement during chewing and causing stress to their structure. This can lead to pain, swelling, and inflammation.
Swelling
The gums may swell and bleed as the wisdom teeth erupt if there is not enough space to accommodate them. The pain can become excruciating, making it difficult to eat, speak, or sleep. Impacted molars can also lead to swelling in the face by causing infections.
Oral infection
In addition to facial swelling, an oral infection can include symptoms such as swelling, bad breath, an unpleasant taste, or difficulty opening the mouth. If your wisdom teeth are at this point of infection, they require an emergency extraction.
How Your Dentist Can Treat Impacted Wisdom Teeth
Wisdom teeth extractions are common procedures that can prevent much pain and misery in the long run. Your oral surgeon can remove them in one appointment using general anesthesia, and it will be about two weeks before you can eat normally again. If your third molars are causing you constant suffering, having them removed will be the last discomfort they will ever give you.
About the Practice
South Florida Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery provides expert surgical care from three convenient locations in Jupiter, Palm Beach Gardens, and Loxahatchee Groves, FL. Led by Drs. Paul Weinstein, Travis Thompson, Jeronimo Guzman, Christopher Chafin, and David Holland, the dedicated staff operates cleanly and safely with the five-star service patients deserve. Services include dental implants, general oral surgery, and wisdom teeth extractions. If you are concerned about impacted wisdom teeth, contact the practice online.