Contrary to popular belief, wisdom teeth do not always need to be extracted. If they are placed and aligned correctly just like the rest of your teeth, they don’t need to be removed. The problem is that most wisdom teeth that erupt are misaligned and impacted, and thereby cause pain and discomfort to adjacent molars.
Scientists attribute this effect to evolution. Modern-day humans have smaller jaws than our prehistoric ancestors, an anatomical change that leaves less room for third molars to properly make it to the surface. Learn to recognize the signs of troublesome impacted wisdom teeth before you have them removed by a dentist.
Pain and Jaw Ache
One of the most common symptoms of an impacted wisdom tooth is pain felt on the adjacent teeth and the jaw. The pain could vary depending on the type of impaction you have: soft tissue impaction, partial bony impaction, or complete bony impaction. In any case, patients with impacted teeth who feel any type of pain at all should go see a dentist.
Swollen or Bleeding Gums
Patients with impacted teeth may sometimes notice swelling on the gums, which may or may not be accompanied by some bleeding. Swelling can also be seen around the jaw. If the symptoms persist and the impacted tooth remains untreated, gum disease may soon follow. Cysts and even tumors have been known to form in rare cases, which require prompt wisdom tooth removal.
Bad Breath
Impacted wisdom teeth are also known to cause bad breath due to poor spacing and overcrowding problem of teeth. In essence, the erupting wisdom teeth push the teeth closer together, which can increase the risks of plaque and tartar buildup. This action, in turn, causes bad breath or even cavities and tooth decay. Some patients also report an unpleasant taste while eating.
Other Symptoms
Not all impacted wisdom teeth show clear symptoms. Some patients might not even know that they have impacted teeth that need to be removed properly to avoid escalating into other dental problems. For this reason, it is important to have a dentist take a look at your wisdom teeth. Dentists like Dr. Bill Thompson from trusted practices like Pine Creek Dental in Colorado Springs, CO also recommend having one’s teeth checked even if extraction is not needed to reduce the risk of tooth decay.
Sources
Impacted Wisdom Teeth: What You Need To Know, Colgate Oral Care Center
The Symptoms Of Impacted Wisdom Teeth, Colgate Oral Care Center
