Wisdom Teeth Extraction – Signs & Symptoms
Wisdom teeth are the third set of molars that appear at the very back of our mouths on both the upper and lower jaws. Scientists believe that these teeth were used by our ancestors to eat hard foods such as roots, nuts, and tough meats. However, nowadays wisdom teeth are not necessary for human being survival. In fact, our mouths no longer have enough space for them to merge fully. When they emerge, they usually cause a lot of problems that result in 85% of people having some or all of them removed.
How do you know it is time to remove your wisdom teeth? Keep reading to learn about the signs and symptoms of wisdom teeth removal.
- You are Experiencing Some Pain
One of the most common sign that your wisdom teeth need to be removed is pain and irritation both when you open your mouth and on the tooth site. Wisdom teeth usually grow between the age of 17 and 25. This makes them the last set of teeth to grow in your mouth. In most cases, when they grow, they rarely find enough room to emerge properly. This makes them impacted or wedged-in. This can result in tooth pain, jaw pain, headaches and pain when eating or drinking. If you experience such pain and consistently, it’s a good idea that you talk to your dentist about wisdom teeth removal.
- Infection and Gum Disease
Gums and tissue infection around the wisdom tooth may be a sign that you need to remove your wisdom tooth. Several issues with the wisdom tooth can cause the gums and tissue infection. The best thing is to visit your dentist once you notice you have an infection and ask him if the tooth needs to be removed.
Another red flag you should be on the watch out for is gum disease around the wisdom teeth area. Your dentist will be able to diagnose the problem and know if the cause is the wisdom teeth. He/she will determine if their removal is the best option.
- Stiffness in Jaw
As your wisdom teeth grow, they can push against other teeth and thus make them shift in position. This can, in turn, result to some discomfort on your jaws, making them feel more stiff and difficult to open. If you experience such a problem, it might be a warning sign that you need to extract your wisdom teeth.
- Wisdom Teeth Impaction
Wisdom tooth impaction means that the tooth either grow in partially or fails to grow at all. People with impacted wisdom tooth mean that their wisdom tooth never emerged from the gum tissue. Such a tooth can cause some problems due to some reasons. First, such a tooth often grow at a wrong angle. This means that they grow sideways into other teeth. They can also grow directly into the jawbone. This can cause a lot of pain and damage to the adjacent tooth.
Bottom Line
Wisdom teeth removal is not something anyone would wish for, but in most cases the procedure is necessary. It may help prevent complex dental procedure in future. Outlined above are some of the major signs and symptoms that you need to have your wisdom teeth removed. If you’re worried that you might be experiencing one or more symptoms outlined above, it doesn’t hurt, just talk to one of our dentists in Melbourne. He or she will be able to recommend the best option for you.