Has your dentist talked to you about wisdom teeth removal? Are they causing you pain but you aren’t sure if you need to take the next steps to get your wisdom teeth removed?
Fear not, Millions of wisdom teeth procedures are performed each year. And, since the 1950s, dangerous infections are rare, thanks to the use of antibiotics.
Wisdom teeth removal is a safe and effective procedure that will improve your dental health in the long run!
Keep reading to learn about five signs that will tell you that it’s time to remove your wisdom teeth.
1. Impacted Wisdom Teeth
Some people have problems with their wisdom teeth becoming impacted. If this happens, you’ll need to get them removed as soon as possible.
Wisdom teeth, or your third molars, can become partially or fully impacted in your jawbone or gums.
If your tooth has erupted from the jawbone but not broken through your gums yet, it’s known as a soft tissue impaction. If your tooth is still completely covered by your gums and jawbone, it’s referred to as a hard tissue impaction.
Then, if you have a fully impacted wisdom tooth, it won’t be visible at all. On the other hand, if you have a partially impacted wisdom tooth you’ll notice that only a part of the tooth is visible.
You’ll typically experience impacted wisdom teeth if your jaw isn’t large enough to accommodate all of your teeth. They can also grow in at the wrong angle, which also causes them to become impacted.
Symptoms that Say Get Those Wisdom Teeth Removed
Sometimes, when you have an impacted wisdom tooth, you won’t notice any symptoms right away. Other times, you’ll notice symptoms that develop gradually such as:
- Swelling and pain in your face or jaw
- Swelling and redness in your gums
- Bleeding gums
- Bad breath
- Foul taste in your mouth
- Difficulty opening your mouth completely
If you have questions about whether or not your wisdom teeth are impacted, it’s best to talk to your dentist about wisdom teeth removal and any symptoms you’re experiencing.
2. Crowding Out Other Teeth
Have you noticed that your teeth are shifting since your wisdom teeth have started to come in?
Before your wisdom teeth come in, you have 28 adult teeth in your mouth and wisdom teeth add four more teeth to the mix.
Wisdom teeth can cause problems for your other teeth by crowding them out and causing them to become misaligned. They can also affect the roots of the neighbouring teeth by putting pressure on them.
If you’re considering braces to straighten your teeth, having your wisdom teeth removed beforehand can minimize the amount of time you need to wear braces.
Even if you’ve already had braces, the eruption of wisdom teeth can lead to overcrowding and misaligned teeth again, causing the need for repeated orthodontic treatments.
3. Cavities and Gum Problems
If you still have your wisdom teeth and you’re experiencing gum pain and problems with cavities, it might not just be due to a lack of brushing, flossing, or regular dental care.
The position of your wisdom teeth also has a huge impact on how well you can clean the surfaces of the surrounding teeth.
If your wisdom teeth are too close to your other teeth, you won’t be able to floss and brush all areas of your teeth properly. This can lead to food particles and bacteria becoming trapped, which causes cavities.
Wisdom teeth can also create deep gum pockets around the surrounding gum tissue where food and bacteria can collect. You’ll notice symptoms with your gum tissues like:
- Inflammation
- Infection
- Difficulty cleaning the area due to pain
Left untreated, it can develop into a gum abscess or a pocket of pus that develops between your teeth and gums.
You’ll also put yourself at risk for developing periodontitis. Periodontitis is when a serious gum infection leads to the destruction of the bone that supports your teeth.
4. Sinus Pain and Pressure from Needing Your Wisdom Teeth Removed
Your wisdom teeth don’t only impact your other teeth, but they can affect your sinuses, too. If you have frequent sinus pain and pressure (and have your wisdom teeth), your wisdom teeth may be the culprit.
The wisdom teeth in your top jaw are very close to your sinus cavity. If your wisdom teeth are impacted or are still developing, they can rub and create pressure against your sinuses.
Even wisdom teeth that are completely erupted and in place can cause an increase in headaches, sinus pain, and congestion.
5. Jaw Tumors and Cysts
Impacted wisdom teeth or partially erupted wisdom teeth can also lead to small cysts that develop in your jawbone. The most common type of cyst wisdom teeth can cause is called a dentigerous cyst.
Dentigerous cysts are fluid-filled sacs that develop in your jaw bone or soft tissues and form over where your wisdom tooth is coming in. It can also prevent your wisdom tooth from fully erupting through the gums.
These cysts are benign, but they can lead to complications if they’re left untreated such as:
- Infection
- Jaw fractures
- Tooth loss
- Severe pain
- Formation of other tumours
You’ll find that dentigerous cysts often don’t cause many symptoms, but when they become inflamed, you’ll notice swelling, tooth sensitivity, and a small bump on top of where your wisdom tooth should be.
Wisdom Teeth Removal
If your wisdom teeth are coming in and you notice any of these signs, then it’s time to consider wisdom teeth removal.
When you’re searching Google for wisdom teeth removal near me, you can stop your search for dental services when you see The Dental Team.
We offer a variety of services like dental implants, cleanings, and wisdom teeth removal in Ontario. We have office locations in Brampton, Mississauga, Milton, and Vaughan.
We’re committed to helping you with your dental needs in our professional and friendly clinics.We’re happy to answer questions about how much wisdom teeth removal will cost and other questions you might have.
Make sure you contact us today to schedule an appointment.
