Wisdom teeth are the third molars at the back of the mouth that usually grow in an older teen or adult. In some instances, they do not cause any problems to an individual. However, they often cause issues because there’s not enough room in the mouth for them to grow in properly. They may emerge crooked, only grow partially, or bump into other teeth. These are referred to as impacted wisdom teeth that usually need to be removed.

When these impacted teeth begin to emerge, they can cause pain, overcrowding, damage to other teeth, and other dental problems. It’s only normal to avoid undergoing surgery to remove wisdom teeth but it’s necessary to do so, especially if they are negatively impacting your oral health.

To learn whether you should go through a wisdom teeth extraction or not, here are 8 tell-tale signs you need to watch out for.

8 Signs That You Need to Get Your Wisdom Teeth Removed

1. Pain and Irritation in the Mouth

One of the most common signs you need to have your wisdom teeth removed is the pain and irritation felt in your mouth.

Once your wisdom teeth start to grow in, you may feel persistent aches or simply discomfort, depending on the way the new teeth emerge. If you experience these things, it’s best to contact your local dentist and ask for a dental exam.

Your dentist would determine whether it’s the actual wisdom teeth or other unrelated factors that are causing you pain. Then, he or she would decide if a wisdom tooth extraction is the best solution, based on the results of your dental exam. This is due to the fact that there are some instances when the pain would correct itself over time. Thus, no extraction would be required.

2. Difficulty in Eating

The growth of wisdom teeth can also cause pain while you’re eating. Since they often grow crooked and misaligned, they can get food stuck in between the gums and the top of the teeth, especially when chewing or biting. This could ultimately lead to oral health problems as the impacted wisdom teeth makes it harder to clean the back of the mouth while brushing.

So, in order to prevent this from happening, you may want to consult your local dentist. He or she may recommend the right products to fix the problem. However, he or she would usually turn to wisdom teeth extraction if the issue cannot be resolved.

3. Inflamed Gums

When your wisdom teeth begin to emerge, they usually form a flap of gum tissue next to the new teeth. This tissue can trap small particles of food and other bacteria that leads to the inflammation in the gums, called pericoronitis. They are often swollen and feel sore to the touch, which makes it difficult to clean the area.

When this happens, it’s best to have your wisdom teeth removed as soon as possible to minimize dental problems in the future.

4. Sinus Issues

Having wisdom teeth can also lead to a variety of sinus problems.

Since these teeth usually grow in on the upper jaw, they can push against the sinuses once fully developed. As a result, they can cause congestion and can sometimes trigger sinus pressure, pain, and headaches.

Overall, these issues with your sinuses are tell-tale signs that you need to get your wisdom teeth removed.

5. Cysts

If you continue to let your impacted wisdom teeth grow in, they can sometimes become cysts.

Cysts refer to sacs of fluid that can damage jawbones, roots, and nerve structure of surrounding teeth. They can even lead to a tumor and would require additional surgery to remove once they become too severe.

To prevent this from happening, you should consult with your local dentist as soon as you feel any pain or discomfort in your mouth.

6. Stiffness and Pain in Jaw

Once wisdom teeth emerge in your mouth, they would begin to push your other teeth and shift your jawline. These can lead to stiffness and pain in the jaw whenever you open or move your mouth. Sometimes, they can even cause swelling on the side of the jaw.

If you experience any of these, take it as a sign that you need to get your wisdom teeth removed.

7. Crooked Teeth

Most of the time, there’s not enough room in your mouth for the wisdom teeth to grow in naturally. As such, they may come in crooked or sideways, and shift other teeth in the process. This can damage surrounding teeth.

So, if you have wisdom teeth that are emerging crooked, you should undergo an extraction to prevent potential dental problems.

8. Cavities

Since crooked wisdom teeth can push around other teeth and lead to crowding, they have a big impact on your oral health. They can be hard to clean which causes bacteria to grow in between the surfaces. This would then lead to the development of cavities and when left untreated, they can result in a more serious infection.

Wisdom Teeth Removal at Asian Sun Dental Clinic Manila

Wisdom teeth often cause problems for older teens and young adults. Once they grow in your mouth, they can lead to a myriad of dental problems such as pain in the mouth, inflamed gums, crooked teeth, and more. If you are experiencing any of these signs and symptoms, it’s best to visit your dentist and have your wisdom teeth checked. Once it is proven that they are indeed problematic, you can proceed to undergo wisdom teeth extraction.

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At Asian Sun Dental Clinic, we understand that maintaining your dental health can be a tedious, expensive, and sometimes painful process. So, we aim to give affordable dental services in Quezon City which do not compromise quality and safety. Contact us today to book a consultation!

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