The majority of people have all their adult teeth by the time they are 21 years old. The exception to this is the wisdom teeth which can arrive any time between you being 17 and 25.
Wisdom teeth are hit and miss. For many people, they simply arrive with a little pain. But, for others, there isn’t really enough space for the additional teeth. That means they need to grow at an angle in the space available. In most cases, they will either grow toward the second molar or toward the back of your mouth.
If this is the case it is likely to be painful and the best course of action is to remove them. It’s important to note that you can’t control the direction your wisdom teeth grow in. But if they don’t emerge straight you need to ensure you visit the dentist regularly.
A good dentist, such as this Erskineville dentist, will monitor the progress of your wisdom teeth and advise when removal is the only option. Of course, it helps to know the signs yourself. The most common signs you need a wisdom tooth removing are:
Pain In the Back of Your Mouth
Toothache is never pleasant. When it is coming from the back of your mouth your body is telling you the wisdom tooth is trying to break through the gum. The pain can be persistent, or it can come and go. In both scenarios, you need to let the experts look at it.
Swollen Gums
As your wisdom teeth grow and break the skin it is normal for a little gum tissue to form at the top of the tooth. It’s best described as a flap. Unfortunately, the flap can trap food particles and increase the likelihood of an infection. This makes the area swollen.
Gums Bleeding
Bleeding gums is never a good sign. If it’s just the back of your mouth that bleeds, it’s most likely to be wisdom teeth trying to come through and you’ll need them checked.
Headaches
Headaches are another symptom of wisdom teeth. This is simply because the pain in your mouth will radiate through your head and cause you to feel pain in your ears or head.
Painful Jaw
A painful jaw means that your wisdom tooth hasn’t emerged properly, and it is changing the way your teeth clamp against each other. In effect, your bite is changing, and this changes the pressures on your jaw, causing it to feel stiff.
Swelling In Your Jaw
If you notice a slight swelling in your jaw as the wisdom tooth tries to come through it’s not particularly concerning. However, if the swelling gets worse, you’ll need urgent medical treatment to resolve the issue before any damage is done.
Sinus problems
Wisdom teeth in your upper jaw are likely to increase the pressure in your sinus system and potentially give you a feeling of fullness in your sinuses.
Cysts
If left untreated your wisdom teeth can cause fluid build-up which results in cysts. These can, over time, cause significant issues and damage to your jaw and the surrounding tissue.
In short, if you’re experiencing unusual mouth and head symptoms, see your dentist as soon as possible. Removing your wisdom teeth may solve everything!
Leave a Reply