Wisdom teeth usually grow through the gums at the back of the mouth, behind your molars. The wisdom tooth does not often grow naturally and often grow is a misaligned fashion. This means that the molar does not grow straight like your natural teeth.
This means that the wisdom tooth is impacted. When this happens, it is likely the wisdom tooth needs to be removed. Sooner or later, this will need to happen, and it isn’t something that can be ignored. The dentist is best placed to decide when the tooth should get extracted through x-rays that help determine whether they are causing problems. Wisdom teeth aren’t just an issue for adults, but for children as well. Read here to learn more.
If you are experiencing one of the following signs of wisdom teeth, it will need to be extracted:
Persistent Pain
A noticeable sign that you have wisdom teeth is persistent pain and irritation as you open and close your mouth. This is because the tooth is attempting to erupt from the gum line but there isn’t enough room to do so. Therefore, the wisdom tooth does not grow straight, but crooked. This presses the neighbouring teeth, causing sensitivity.
Jaw Stiffness
Attempting to open and close the mouth becomes a bit more difficult. When the impacted tooth pushes against your neighbouring teeth, this can cause discomfort in the jaw. This makes it stiff or sore to open. You may also experience some swelling at the back of the mouth.
Eating Difficulty
When teeth become misaligned or crooked, it becomes difficult to close your mouth. The upper teeth should be placed slightly in front of your lower teeth when closing the mouth. If a misaligned tooth is preventing this from happening, it’s a sign that it needs removing. You’re likely to know about this when eating and chewing on foods.
Cavities
One of the common dangers to your oral health is bacteria build-up. When the gums become irritated, pockets can develop between teeth, leading to bacteria forming in between. Eventually, you’re likely to experience cavity and the likelihood of an infection.
Misalignment
Wisdom teeth can cause misalignment to your other teeth. This means your neighbouring teeth shift and push themselves into another position. This can cause further damage to the teeth, especially when you chew and bite down on foods because your teeth can grind together, causing further wear-and-tear. Jaws are not large enough to accommodate wisdom teeth, impacting other teeth and damaging your straight smile.
Final Thoughts…
The wisdom tooth extraction procedure is performed by the dentist under local anaesthetic. You can read here to learn more about the procedure. Depending on the impact the wisdom tooth has had, the dentist may be required to remove multiple teeth. Sometimes, wisdom teeth may not cause any problems. The dentist is best placed to determine this at a check-up appointment.
If you’re experiencing sensitivity in the mouth, it’s likely you will require extraction treatment. At Lotus Dental, we are ready and willing to welcome you to our practice and relieve you of your pain. Contact us here now and book an appointment with us.