When it comes to wisdom teeth, there’s no sure way to determine whether they need to be removed or not. Although it can’t be pre-determined if and when you’ll need to have your wisdom teeth removed there are general symptoms people often experience to suggest when they are coming through, signalling they may need to be removed.
Just because your wisdom teeth have come through doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll have to have them removed, people only need to get them removed if they begin having negative impacts on their oral health. We’d thought we’d share some of the most common symptoms people experience when their wisdom teeth are breaking through to help identify if you may need professional treatment.
What Are Wisdom Teeth?Wisdom teeth are the last molars to come through in your set of teeth and are situated at the back of the mouth behind all of the other molars. These teeth are a completely normal part of mouth development and typically when they come through there are four teeth, two on the upper jaw and two on the lower. In some cases, people may have less than four wisdom teeth or even none at all. When they erupt from the gums, they may not cause any disturbance within the mouth at all but other times they can be problematic and cause pain that leads to them needing to be removed.
Does Everyone Need Their Wisdom Teeth Removed?
Each individual situation is different when it comes to wisdom teeth. When you begin experiencing symptoms that may be linked to your wisdom teeth coming through or a possible infection it’s important to have them checked by a dentist immediately. Once checked, a professional can then make the final decision on the best treatment option for your teeth.
There are many factors that contribute to whether a dentist decides they need to be removed such as the current structure of your teeth and whether allowing the teeth to remain in your mouth will lead to overcrowding. When these teeth erupt through the gums, it’s common that they push through at odd angles. This can impact surrounding teeth so having the teeth checked by a professional as they come through it imperative.
How Are Wisdom Teeth Removed?
Wisdom teeth are usually removed using a local anaesthetic at your usual dentist, but this is dependent on the difficulty of the removal. If the teeth are situated deep within the gum or require a more in-depth surgical approach, your dentist may refer you to see an oral surgeon to have the procedure completed. We complete wisdom teeth removal procedures here at Mermaid Smiles and have numerous options to help patients feel comfortable during the procedure.
Sometimes the thought of undergoing teeth removal can be nerve-racking which is why we offer different sedation options to ensure you feel relaxed throughout the entire treatment. We have two different sedation options, the first being nitrous oxide, commonly known as ‘Happy Gas’, as well as twilight sedation which is administered by an anaesthetist. Which option is chosen is completely dependent on the patient’s needs. Even if you opt to be sedated during your procedure, local anaesthetic is still used in the areas to prevent any pain or discomfort.
Symptoms Signalling That You May Need Have Your Wisdom Teeth Removed
Swelling of the Gum, In the Back of Your Mouth or Side of the Jaw
When wisdom teeth partially erupt through the gum, soft tissue can begin to grow over the area. This soft tissue is called the operculum and when formed bacteria from food and drinks can become trapped under the tissue. When bacteria become trapped it has access to the wisdom teeth and can cause them to get infected and swollen, causing surrounding areas to also swell.
Jaw Pain Causing Stiffness
When wisdom teeth erupt incorrectly, they can completely change your mouth and the way your teeth bite together. This change can be very painful making it difficult to open or close your mouth. When you notice difficulty stiffness in your jaw it’s important to have these issues checked out immediately. Not only does it make things like eating and drinking difficult, but it can also cause serious long-term issues if your teeth are left incorrectly aligned for an extended period.
Earaches or Headaches
When affected by wisdom teeth many people assume that they will only notice discomfort in their mouth around the area in which they are coming through. However, this isn’t always the case. When your wisdom teeth begin coming through pain from your gums and jaw begins radiating further out. This can cause significant earaches and headaches which is a telling sign that it may be time to have your wisdom teeth removed completely.
Bad Breath
Bad breath is also another telling sign that you may need to have your wisdom teeth removed. Bad breath isn’t something that people usually consider a problem associated with wisdom teeth but can be caused due to poor dental hygiene. Wisdom teeth are extremely difficult to reach to brush and floss properly as they are situated right at the back of the mouth. This can lead to food particles becoming trapped which can lead to an infection that causes bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth you just can’t get rid of.
Are You Experiencing Any of These Symptoms?
If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms discussed, it’s important to visit a dentist immediately. Even if it may not be directly related to your wisdom teeth, another tooth may be affected, causing you discomfort. Our team will be able to identify any issues and provide a range of treatment options to have you feeling better in no time. Contact us now to book a check-up.
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