Signs You Might Need Your Wisdom Teeth Removed

Wisdom teeth are an antiquated evolutionary trait. It is notoriously problematic for modern humans. These teeth often lead to oral health complications.

Dental professionals suggest that you remove wisdom teeth as soon as they emerge in your late teens or early twenties. You won’t be able to know that these teeth may be growing without your knowledge if you only visit the dentist once a year or skip your 6-month dental exams. Sometimes, it can disrupt your dental health.

You can opt for wisdom teeth removal; you do not need them, and your mouth probably does not have enough space to accommodate four additional teeth. Dentists can identify and remove these teeth before they cause any issues. This can happen when you visit your dentist every six months.

However, you might only become aware of these teeth from some signs even if you see your dentist regularly. This guide will let you know about those signs.

Signs Indicating You Might Need Wisdom Teeth Removal

Below are the signs that indicate you might need to remove your wisdom teeth. Schedule a consultation to determine if you need a wisdom tooth removal if you are encountering any of those signs.

Wisdom Tooth Impaction

This happens when the third molars grow without fully emerging through your gums. They often will grow at an odd angle and emerge crooked. With this, they can lead to damage to your healthy neighboring teeth.

Sometimes, impacted wisdom teeth can grow 180 degrees in the wrong direction into the jaw. They cause dental infections, gum disease, and jawbone cysts. In some cases, these teeth lead to discomfort, whereas you might be completely unaware of the impaction in other cases. With this, you can experience other symptoms and signs like jaw pain etc.

Gum Inflammation

You may encounter gum inflammation when food, bacteria, and plaque get underneath your gum tissue. Inflamed or swollen gums are common and clear signs that these teeth might have partially emerged or impacted. The tissue around your teeth in the back of your mouth will become sensitive to touch, red in color, and swollen. This is one of the most common indications for wisdom teeth removal Cochrane.

Stiff Jaw

One of the common signs of wisdom teeth removal is stiffness in the jaw. This can take place when your wisdom teeth are placing pressure on your jaw as they crowd your healthy teeth. The immobility and stiffness can eventually shift to pain in your jaw. This is because these teeth keep on pressing against your other teeth.

You must consult with your dentist for a wisdom tooth exam as soon as you notice any discomfort or stiffness in your jaw.

Oral Cysts

If you leave impacted wisdom teeth untreated, cysts can develop in your gum, jaw, and oral tissue. Cysts are sacs of fluid that can cause the roots of neighboring teeth to damage and rot the jawbone. Sometimes, oral cysts can turn into tumors. If this happens, jaw surgery and other more invasive treatments are needed.

If you are unsure about whether you need to remove your wisdom teeth, contact our dentists now. Having years of experience, our dental professionals can solve your questions and concerns.