Teens, young adults, and even more mature adults often undergo wisdom tooth extractions. This procedure is necessary in many cases because these third molars, which are located at the back of the mouth, can cause some serious complications! The danger is particularly severe if they are impacted (stuck beneath the gumline, either partially or completely). Is there any way to tell if you have impacted wisdom teeth? This blog post shares three common warning signs.
You Can Only See/Feel Part of Your Wisdom Teeth
Ideally, wisdom teeth would erupt fully from the gumline and line up with the rest of your dentition. Unfortunately, that rarely happens because in most people’s mouths, there is simply not enough room for the wisdom teeth to completely emerge. Therefore, a tooth might protrude partially above the gumline; you might even notice just a small, hard bump. While a partially erupted wisdom tooth may not cause pain right away, its odd angle and difficult-to-reach location can make it difficult to clean. In time, this can lead to irritation, bad breath, and other issues.
You Are Experiencing Pain and Discomfort
Keep in mind that you might not be able to see or feel fully impacted wisdom teeth. However, you may notice that they cause significant pain or discomfort. These teeth can push against the roots of other teeth and strain the jaw. Soreness toward the back of the mouth, gum tenderness, and facial aching are all potential signs of an impacted wisdom tooth. Swelling, redness, and limited jaw mobility could also occur. Even if these symptoms seem relatively minor, they are still worth getting checked out.
You Have Symptoms of Decay or Infection
Due to the fact that they are difficult to clean, impacted wisdom teeth may collect food particles and bacteria around them. Often, this leads to issues like tooth decay, gum issues, and even dangerous infections. Bad breath, a bad taste in your mouth, significant swelling, or sharp sensitivity are all potential signs of an infection. You might even notice a cyst, tumor, or abscess (pimple-like bump) in the area. A serious infection is considered a dental emergency and needs prompt attention.
Find Out for Sure if You Have Impacted Wisdom Teeth
Any unusual symptoms are a reason to talk to a qualified dental professional. But what if you don’t have any symptoms and just want to find out for sure if you have impacted wisdom teeth? Your dentist can take a set of X-rays. Then, they can let you know if the wisdom teeth may pose a threat to your oral health or if it would be safe to leave them in place for a while. If you choose to keep them, they should be monitored at subsequent appointments so you can get them extracted if they ever start to develop problems.
Impacted wisdom teeth could spell trouble for your smile! Stay aware of your oral health and seek professional assistance if you have questions or concerns.
Meet the Practice
Our practice is home to four highly skilled oral surgeons, including board-certified Dr. Steve Koo, who has nearly 20 years of experience in his field. We perform a variety of advanced services, including removal of impacted wisdom teeth. If you believe you need this procedure or have questions about what to expect from it, contact our office in Cypress at 713-364-9903.