Wisdom teeth removal is common. Around adults around ages 17-25 for many reasons. Your dentist might recommend wisdom teeth removal as a preventative procedure for common problems including:
- Tooth decay from ruptured wisdom teeth not reachable by a toothbrush
- Lack of space, causing damage to neighboring teeth
- Gum infection surrounding the wisdom teeth
- Pain or discomfort in the mouth, especially when chewing
Though wisdom teeth are not always necessary to extract, they are more likely to cause problems than not. Wisdom teeth removal can seem scary, but the procedure has become so regular that the likelihood of high discomfort is rare. This common preventative practice is known to only benefit the patient and hopefully keep them from further injuries or complications in the future.
Maybe it has been a while since you’ve been to the dentist and haven’t had the chance to take this precautionary procedure. If you’re experiencing some of the common warning signs for impact by the wisdom teeth, it’s time to visit the dentist!
Being aware of warning signs helps you get to a professional sooner than later for a more positive outcome.
Take a look at the warning signs below to see if you’re due for wisdom teeth removal.
It’s Getting Crowded in Here!
Many adults don’t have room in their mouths for an extra set of four teeth (hence the very common removal procedure). The molars growing in tend to push forward or sideways against existing molars, causing a painful crowding in the mouth.
Feeling a little crowded or pained? Talk to your dentist about wisdom teeth removal. If pain becomes severe or unbearing, it might be time to consult an emergency dentist.
Misalignment
Often teeth will lose their alignment from the overcrowding caused by wisdom teeth. Previous treatments can be undermined by their development, so the cost of putting off removal of the wisdom teeth can increase. When teeth seem to be less straight than before, despite the efforts of retainers or other methods, it is likely that the wisdom teeth are playing a role in pushing the other teeth together. Before thousands spent on braces or previous treatments is lost, patients should be quick to remedy any misalignments.
Sinus Issues
Certainly a symptom, but not one that every patient is aware of, sinus pain can be caused by wisdom teeth. Sinus pain, pressure and congestion can all result from the development of the upper wisdom teeth. As they grow and root directly beneath the sinuses, they can aggravate this area and result in discomfort, headaches or stuffiness. While sinus issues are not as common as others warning signs, they can be an additional motivation to encourage a patient to take the leap and remove the teeth.
Gum Infections & Pain
Before your wisdom teeth come in, tissues around the tooth are prone creating problem areas like cyst growth, which can lead to bone loss in your jaw. The growing tooth also has tendencies to eat away at the roots of other neighboring teeth or grow excessive plaque and bacteria as a result of being hard-to-reach. In more rare cases, tissue gaps have also been known to develop tumors.
It’s always wise to be overly cautious and listen to the signs your body sends you. Any oral discomfort is a sign to call an emergency dentist. Even a minor, ongoing discomfort could be a hidden disaster if not addressed.
Cavities
With gum infections and swollen gums, cavities also pose a potential threat. The infections can create room between teeth to grow bacteria. This causes cavities to form, contributing to even more problems for the dentist to solve. These tend to be more long-term effects of untreated wisdom teeth and are certainly avoidable with proper, prompt wisdom teeth extractions.
Damaged Neighbors
Just because you might of had braces in the past, doesn’t mean your mouth is set for the future. Incoming molars can completely change the landscape of your adult teeth depending on the angle they grow in.
A simple X-Ray done by a professional dentist can help identify any potential problem areas and diagnose a solution. Having this done sooner rather than later can save patients between ages 17-25 much pain.
If you’re uncertain about your oral pain, it’s safest to call a dentist to quickly identify the cause before pain becomes more severe. Some cases are more severe than others when gone unattended to.
Not sure if you’re ready for wisdom teeth removal? Or if you can get the help you need over the weekend? Contact an emergency dentist for pricing and appointments.