Wisdom teeth are the last teeth to grow and break through your gums. They are located at the furthest back of your mouth. Wisdom teeth that erupt entirely and fit within your mouth are a great asset to the mouth. However, wisdom teeth remain under the gums or erupt poorly for many people, causing overcrowding and other dental complications.
A poorly erupted or impacted wisdom tooth can cause severe pain in the jaw, bleeding of the gums, and constant headaches. If you experience extreme jaw pain, infections, or swollen gums, you may need to consult with your dentist. The dentist may order a dental X-ray to determine the condition of your wisdom tooth.
Often, dentists recommend extracting impacted wisdom teeth. Extraction creates space for other teeth in the mouth to prevent overcrowding and reduce the pain associated with impacted wisdom teeth. Removing wisdom teeth is an invasive dental procedure requiring the services of an experienced dentist.
The following are signs that you need to remove your wisdom teeth:
Crowding or Shifting of Surrounding Teeth
If you experience tooth crowding after the wisdom teeth eruption, you may need to remove the wisdom teeth. As the wisdom teeth emerge through the gums, they can exert pressure on the surrounding teeth. The pressure from these teeth forcing their way out can cause the teeth to shift or become misaligned. Teeth crowding causes a variety of oral health issues, including:
- Tooth decay. Crowded teeth are hard to clean, and areas between misaligned teeth are difficult to reach with a toothbrush or floss. The accumulation of plaque and bacteria in these areas causes tooth decay. Cavities and tooth decay are leading causes of tooth loss for many adults.
- Gum disease. Inadequate cleaning due to overcrowding can also lead to gum disease. Plaque and bacteria can accumulate along the gum line, causing inflammation and bleeding gums. Gum disease causes severe pain and, when left untreated, can cause tooth loss.
- Jaw pain. Misaligned or overcrowded teeth may cause uneven pressure on the jaw, leading to discomfort or pain. Excessive pressure on the jaw causes temporomandibular joint disorder, which can cause headaches and difficulty chewing if left untreated.
- Speech issues. Teeth crowding can affect the positioning of the tongue, leading to speech impediments. The overcrowding of the wisdom teeth can also cause a misaligned bite.
- Wear and tear. Crowded teeth may not meet adequately, leading to uneven wear on the enamel. Over time, uneven bites can cause tooth fractures and sensitivity.
Removal of the wisdom teeth protects you from overcrowding and allows you to preserve your other natural teeth.
Pain at the Back of the Mouth
A common sign you may need to remove your wisdom teeth is pain or discomfort in the back of your mouth. The pain can occur when the wisdom teeth force their way through the gums. Wisdom teeth come in after other teeth have erupted. Therefore, these teeth may lack enough space to erupt correctly.
As these teeth emerge, they can push against the surrounding teeth and cause a dull or sharp ache. The pain associated with the eruption of wisdom teeth is difficult to manage with over-the-counter pain relievers. The pain can worsen over time, making it uncomfortable for you to chew your food or speak.
The discomfort can also extend to the jaw, head, or neck and affect your quality of life. In cases of impacted wisdom teeth, the pain is intense and persistent. If you experience this pain, you will require professional attention to prevent further complications.
Tender and Swollen Gums
Impacted wisdom teeth do not emerge from the gum line or come in at an angle that disrupts normal alignment. They often result in an open flap of gum tissue around the tooth, which traps bacteria. It creates an ideal environment for infection, leading to gum swelling and tenderness.
Swollen gums caused by impacted teeth are a sign of infection. The discomfort from the swollen gums may range from mild irritation to more severe pain. Swollen gums may also make it difficult to chew or talk, adding to the discomfort. If you have swollen gums, your dentist will assess you for an infection and offer antibiotics to fight the infection. However, the dentist can recommend an extraction if your condition is severe.
Persistent Headaches
Wisdom teeth can cause recurring headaches. The headaches result from pain radiating from your teeth and jaws. Severe headaches can significantly impact your quality of life. You can experience severe headaches when you have an impacted wisdom tooth. As the tooth struggles to erupt from under the jawbone, it exerts excessive pressure on your jaw and teeth.
The pressure from the impacted teeth can radiate into the head, causing tension headaches. If you experience frequent headaches or migraines due to impacted wisdom teeth, you can have them removed. Removing the wisdom teeth can ease these types of headaches.
Bad Breath
Halitosis, or bad breath, is a consistent foul smell from the mouth. In addition to factors like diet and oral hygiene, bad breath can result from problematic wisdom teeth. Wisdom teeth erupt when there is no space on the jaw, causing overcrowding. Proper brushing and flossing become challenging when teeth are crowded.
Additionally, wisdom teeth are hard to reach, which increases their susceptibility to decay and cavities. When food particles accumulate around the wisdom teeth, they can cause an infection, which causes bad breath. Besides, impacted wisdom teeth can cause gum irritation, infection, and swelling, contributing to unpleasant odors.
Good oral hygiene helps manage bad breath caused by impacted wisdom teeth. Unfortunately, regular brushing and flossing may not eliminate the problem. The tartar and plaque accumulated from poor oral hygiene may require constant professional cleanings. Bad breath can impact your self-esteem and interactions with other people. Therefore, you will need a permanent solution for the issue.
If the impacted tooth causes significant issues, you need to consult with a dentist. Sometimes, the dentist will recommend removing the wisdom teeth as a permanent solution for your bad breath. Removing the impacted or partially erupted wisdom teeth helps restore your oral health.
Impacted Wisdom Teeth
An impacted wisdom tooth happens when the tooth fails to emerge appropriately from the gum. Wisdom tooth impaction can result from a lack of enough space in the jaw or a misalignment of your teeth. An impacted wisdom tooth can remain trapped beneath the gum line or only partially emerge. Impacted wisdom teeth cause a variety of dental problems. The condition can cause discomfort, pain, gum disease, and damage to neighboring teeth.
There are several types of tooth impactions, including:
- Soft tissue impaction. The tooth erupts partially through the gum, but the gum tissue covers part of it.
- Bony impaction. The tooth sits under the jawbone and does not erupt at all.
- Partial impaction. With partial impaction, the tooth erupts partially but is angled to prevent it from breaking through the gum entirely.
You must seek immediate dental care if you experience pain or swelling in the area where the wisdom tooth should erupt. Your dentist will order an X-ray to determine whether your wisdom teeth are impacted. An impacted wisdom tooth is a clear sign that you must remove it. Removing these teeth will ease your pain and prevent further dental complications.
Jaw Stiffness and Pain
Jaw stiffness and pain are common symptoms of impacted wisdom teeth. As the wisdom teeth break through the gums, they may cause swelling, tenderness, and discomfort in the surrounding tissues. The pain and discomfort from this condition can impact your quality of life.
The discomfort can radiate to the jaw and face, leading to stiffness. You may need to remove the wisdom teeth to ease the pain and prevent other complications. The jaw muscles may tighten in response to pain, making it difficult to open the mouth.
Wisdom teeth, which emerge partially due to lack of space, worsen the pain and stiffness. The teeth may press against adjacent molars, causing increased pressure and discomfort.
Sinus Issues
Impacted wisdom teeth on the upper jaw can cause various sinus issues. The upper third molars are close to the maxillary sinuses, and when these teeth fail to erupt, the pressure and inflammation associated with them can affect the sinuses.
Impacted wisdom teeth do not erupt fully or grow in an improper direction. They can cause pain, inflammation, and infection. The tooth can also pressure the surrounding structures, including the sinuses.
The maxillary sinuses are above the upper molars, and impacted wisdom teeth can increase pressure in the sinus cavity. As a result, you may experience sinus-related symptoms, including:
- Facial pain
- Nasal congestion
- Severe headaches
- A feeling of fullness around the eyes
Sometimes, infection from impacted wisdom teeth can spread into the sinuses, causing sinusitis. Symptoms of sinusitis include nasal discharge, post-nasal drip, and even a persistent bad taste in the mouth.
Some people mistake these sinus symptoms for conditions like colds or allergy flare-ups. Therefore, you should consult a dentist if you experience these symptoms. If your impacted wisdom teeth cause sinusitis, your dentist can recommend extraction. Many sinus symptoms will resolve when the pressure caused by the impacted tooth is alleviated.
Repeated Infections
A wisdom tooth infection occurs when the third molars become infected. The infection can occur on the tooth or in surrounding areas. Wisdom teeth emerge in late adolescence or early adulthood when the mouth has insufficient space to accommodate them. As a result, they cause crowding, which makes it difficult to clean and leads to infection.
The symptoms of a wisdom tooth infection include:
- Severe pain around the wisdom tooth
- Gum swelling around the tooth
- Redness and tenderness around the affected area.
- You may also experience difficulty opening your mouth.
- Bad breath
- An unpleasant taste in your mouth
- Fever
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Difficulty swallowing
Maintaining good oral hygiene is essential to preventing a wisdom tooth infection. Brushing and flossing around the back molars helps remove food debris and bacteria. Food particles or bacteria trapped around the wisdom tooth can cause an infection.
The infection affects the soft tissue surrounding the wisdom tooth. Left untreated, it may spread to the surrounding tissues, leading to more serious complications. Treatment for a wisdom tooth infection involves visiting the dentist or oral surgeon. The dentist may clean the infected area and prescribe antibiotics to manage the infection. However, repeated wisdom tooth infections indicate that you must remove them.
Wisdom Tooth Decay
Cavities or decay in the wisdom teeth are a common dental concern. Their unique positioning makes them more prone to decay than other molars. Wisdom teeth come last in your set of adult teeth and often have to fight for space in the jaw. In most cases, fully erupted wisdom teeth cause tooth overcrowding.
Because of their location, wisdom teeth are harder to reach and clean properly with a toothbrush. As a result, they are more susceptible to cavities and decay. Cavities occur when bacteria in the mouth break down sugars from food and produce acids. These acids erode the tooth enamel, leading to decay.
The crowding around the wisdom teeth and the inability to clean them create a conducive environment for bacteria. Moreover, many people have limited space in their mouths for wisdom teeth. Enough space can cause a partial eruption, further complicating oral hygiene.
Symptoms of cavities in wisdom teeth include:
- Pain or sensitivity in the back of the mouth
- Swollen or bleeding gums
- Infection and abscess
- Bad breath
- Damage to surrounding teeth
As the tooth decay progresses, it can destroy the tooth structure. You can prevent cavities in wisdom teeth by practicing good oral hygiene. Proper oral hygiene involves regular brushing, flossing, and routine dental check-ups.
In advanced wisdom tooth decay cases, your dentist can recommend an extraction. Extracting the wisdom tooth eases the pain caused by the cavity and prevents further complications. It can also save you from fillings and root canal procedures. Early detection through regular dental visits is key to avoiding severe damage to other teeth.
Wisdom Teeth Removal Procedure
If you experience symptoms of a problematic wisdom tooth, you must consult your dentist. During your consultation appointment, your dentist will examine your oral health and request an X-ray of your jaws to determine the position of your wisdom tooth. The dentist will also discuss your symptoms and evaluate the potential complications that might arise if the tooth is left in place.
The procedure for removing your problematic wisdom tooth follows the steps below:
Sedation and Anesthesia
The first step in removing a wisdom tooth is administering anesthesia. Depending on your situation, there are several anesthesia options. If you are anxious about dental procedures, your dentist will administer local anesthesia. The local anesthesia numbs the surgical site to prevent pain and discomfort.
The dentist can administer sedation anesthesia for patients with anxiety. The sedation anesthesia keeps the patient calm throughout the procedure. If the dentist needs to remove multiple wisdom teeth in a single procedure, they will administer general anesthesia. With this type of anesthesia, you sleep entirely during the operation.
A common complication of the wisdom teeth removal procedure is an allergic reaction to anesthesia. Therefore, you must give your dentist a complete medical history and disclose your allergies.
Wisdom Tooth Removal
When the anesthesia takes effect, the dental surgeon begins the extraction. For an impacted wisdom tooth, the surgeon makes a small incision in the gum tissue to access the tooth. If a bone covers the tooth, the surgeon removes a small part of the bone to expose the tooth.
After exposing the wisdom tooth, the dentist will loosen it using specialized dental instruments. Sometimes, the dentist can crack the tooth into smaller sections for easier removal. Dividing the tooth is common when the wisdom tooth is impacted. The surgeon will work to avoid damaging the nerves and adjacent teeth.
Cleaning the Site
After removing the problematic wisdom tooth, the dentist cleans the area to ensure no debris is left behind. Keeping the surgical site clean reduces the risk of infection. The dentist or oral health surgeon then repositions the gum tissues and stitches them up.
Find Expert Dental Services Near Me
Wisdom teeth are the last set of teeth to appear in your mouth. Sometimes, they lack enough space in the mouth for wisdom teeth to grow correctly or fail to erupt. Impacted teeth can cause various oral health issues, like severe toothache and headache. Additionally, you may develop a dental infection that spreads to other teeth.
Familiarizing yourself with the symptoms of a problematic wisdom tooth ensures you know when to book a dental appointment. When you consult your dentist with these symptoms, they can recommend that you have your wisdom teeth removed. Wisdom teeth removal is an invasive dental procedure involving cutting through the gums.
Like other oral surgeries, you must follow the aftercare instructions from your dentist to avoid complications. In addition, you must consult with an experienced dentist to ensure the procedure is performed correctly. At Beach Dental Care Anaheim, we offer safe and reliable dental care services for our Anaheim, CA, clients. Contact us at 714-995-4000 to book your appointment.
