In most cases, there are no noticeable signs to indicate that your wisdom teeth need to be removed. Rather it is your dentist who decides that your wisdom teeth may lead to future serious oral health problems and therefore they may need to be extracted. When you go for your regular dental check-ups, your dentist may take an x-ray of your teeth to check for any possible signs of tooth decay and examine how your wisdom teeth are developing.
Look out for these signs that may cause your wisdom teeth to be extracted.
– Persistent Pain
Whether you are experiencing the pain while eating, drinking hot or cold fluids or while undertaking your everyday life, this is often a first sign that your wisdom teeth need to be removed. It is important that you stay aware of how serious the pain is, how long you have been having the pain and when it happens.
– Red Swollen Gums
Wisdom teeth can create a flap of gum tissue around the tooth as they erupt. This flap of gum tissue can form a pocket over time which traps bacteria and food debris that can be quite difficult to clean out. The bacteria and trapped food remains can lead to an infection which results in red swollen gums. To avoid this from happening, your dentist can extract the wisdom teeth.
– A Cyst Forms Around the Tooth
A cyst is a sac filled with fluid that forms nest to your tooth. If the cyst is left untreated, it can severely damage the roots, bones and the surrounding tooth structures. In case it worsens, it can turn into a tumor thus requiring surgery to be removed.
– Impacted Wisdom Teeth
If your wisdom teeth are not erupting, but you are still experiencing severe pain in the back of your mouth then it is possible that they are impacted. Wisdom teeth become impacted when the neighboring teeth or the jawbone block them from emerging properly through the gums. Therefore, they become trapped beneath the gums, but their roots continue to grow resulting in pain and risk for oral infection.
– Sinus Issues
Wisdom teeth can lead to sinuses problem due to their position as their root structure can rub and push against the sinuses. If you are experiencing severe sinus issues such as a runny nose, sinus drip, frequent headaches, pain or tenderness between your eyes, then it is advisable to visit the dentist to see whether the wisdom teeth are the cause. If they are, then an extraction could solve your sinus issues.
– Stiffness in your Jaw
As your wisdom teeth erupt, they tend to push against your other teeth making them shift. As a result, your jaw feels stiff and sore, and this may be an indication that your wisdom teeth need to be extracted.
Bottom Line
Regular dental check-ups and x-rays are very efficient in diagnosing impacted wisdom teeth before they start to show symptoms or develop into more chronic oral health problems. If you are experiencing any of these problems caused by wisdom teeth, feel free to book an appointment with our dentist in Melbourne, and they will be glad to help you.