Wisdom teeth are the last permanent teeth to erupt in the mouth. The teeth start to appear in the late teens or early twenties. Although they erupt naturally, they can cause severe complications if they don’t find enough room to grow. Your wisdom teeth may fail to erupt completely, shift or cause damage to the adjacent teeth. Therefore, more than 85% of adults have these sets of teeth removed.
But how do you know when to remove your wisdom teeth? Find out with these five signs.
1. Pain Around the Back of Your Mouth
If your wisdom teeth are erupting as they should, you should not feel discomfort or pain in the back of your mouth. If you experience pain or discomfort could indicate that the wisdom teeth are not developing correctly or are about to get infected. The best way to deal with this is to have the wisdom teeth pulled out.
2. Tender or Swollen Gums
When wisdom teeth start growing, they can result in a flap of the gum tissues forming on the side or the top of the gum near the tooth. The flap can trap bacteria and small food particles that infect the area. This typically causes it to become swollen, leaving the patient with red and sensitive gums.
3.Continual Cavity
Since wisdom teeth erupt far back in your mouth, they can be challenging to clean. Your bone structure may get in your way as you clean your teeth. If you fail to clean your teeth properly, cavities build up. This results in increased costs and frequent appointments with the dentist. If your dentist identifies a cavity or a plaque on your new sets, they may recommend removing them.
4. Crooked or Overcrowded Teeth
Wisdom teeth typically grow even when there is not enough room in your mouth. When your mouth is overcrowded, your teeth will move toward each other, causing them to be crooked. Once this occurs, not a lot can be done to solve the situation. Your dentist can suggest removing some or all of your wisdom teeth.
Before the wisdom teeth completely grow, your dentist can predict whether they will affect your teeth by carrying out digital scans or x-rays. This is why it is advisable to schedule an appointment immediately after your notice your wisdom teeth erupting. If the dentist notices that your other teeth are crooked, you may need to invest in braces.
5. Sinus Problems
Your upper wisdom teeth can put pressure on your sinuses. As a result, you may experience sinus pain, headaches, and congestion.
FIND OUT IF YOU SHOULD REMOVE YOUR WISDOM TEETH IN PLACENTIA
If you are experiencing these symptoms, the team at Tranquility Dental Arts can help you find the best course of action for you. Contact us to book an appointment with Dr. Nguyen at our Placentia office.