How to Tell If Your Wisdom Teeth Need to Be Removed
Wisdom teeth, the third set of molars, usually erupt during a person’s late teens or early twenties. Some individuals have plenty of extra room in their mouths, and their wisdom teeth erupt without problems. For many, wisdom teeth end up causing more trouble than they’re worth. Keep reading to learn the signs that indicate your wisdom teeth might need to be removed. (To find out for sure, schedule an appointment at Schaffer Dental Excellence.)
5 Signs Your Wisdom Teeth Need to Be Removed
1. Impacted Teeth
Impaction refers to teeth that are either entirely unable to erupt through the gums or that are only partially erupted. Wisdom teeth become impacted when there isn’t enough space for them in a person’s mouth. When wisdom teeth are impacted, they end up growing into and pushing against the neighboring teeth, leading to a variety of dental problems.
2. Pain or Sensitivity
Wisdom teeth that cause pain or sensitivity in the surrounding teeth should be extracted. While not every person who needs their wisdom teeth removed will experience pain, pain does indicate that something isn’t right.
3. Trouble Chewing
Wisdom teeth often cause overcrowding in a person’s mouth which leads to shifting teeth. As a result, many develop malocclusion (bite problems) and experience difficulty chewing.
4. Swollen Jaw
If you experience any jaw pain or inflammation, frequent headaches, or myofascial pain as a result of your erupting wisdom, they likely need to be removed.
5. Tender Gums
If your gum tissue near your wisdom teeth becomes red, swollen, or tender or begins to bleed, you could have an infection. Whether you have impacted wisdom teeth aggravating the surrounding tissues or fully erupted teeth that you aren’t able to properly brush, you will probably benefit from having them extracted.
Avoid Damage from Full or Partial Wisdom Teeth Impaction
Impacted wisdom teeth can lead to overcrowding, tooth decay, periodontal disease, abscesses, and they can damage the neighboring teeth. The primary way to prevent this onslaught of damage is to have your wisdom teeth extracted.
Ask About Your Wisdom Teeth at Your Next Checkup
Despite their name, wisdom teeth won’t make you any smarter. So, if you suspect that your or your child’s wisdom teeth need to be removed, we encourage you to schedule an appointment at Schaffer Dental Excellence.
Our San Diego dentist, Dr. Schaffer, will talk with you about your symptoms, examine your teeth, and take a set of dental x-rays to help determine whether you’ll benefit from having your wisdom teeth extracted. Dr. Schaffer will then discuss your options for wisdom teeth extraction and what you can expect during the procedure.
