Wisdom teeth, despite their important-sounding moniker, serve no role.
These extra pairs of molars typically appear in a person’s late teens or early twenties, although they are usually unneeded for proper chewing.
Wisdom teeth aren’t inherently dangerous, but they might cause issues if there isn’t enough space in the mouth or if they don’t come in straight.
Certain indications will indicate whether your four new molars will be trouble-free or if any or all of them will need to be extracted.
Signs that wisdom teeth are on their way
A dental X-ray might be the first sign that wisdom teeth are on their way. A panoramic X-ray, which catches all of your teeth and jaws in one shot, may indicate the location of your wisdom teeth and if they’re on their way in.
Without an X-ray, you may be aware that your wisdom teeth are erupting because you are experiencing certain uncomfortable symptoms. Some frequent signs that your wisdom teeth are going to burst include:
- Gum swelling, commonly behind your second teeth
- jaw ache
- gums that are bleeding or sore
- Having difficulties opening your mouth wide, a terrible taste in your mouth, and unpleasant breath
The discomfort usually is minimal, although you may feel a quick lance of agony now and again. Chewing with the molars near where your wisdom teeth are ready to emerge may also be painful or unpleasant.
These symptoms are often caused by wisdom teeth that are impacted, which means they are locked under the gums or do not have enough room to break through properly.
Warning signs that something is wrong
While minor discomfort, soreness, and other typical symptoms may occur whether or not you have wisdom teeth issues, you should be aware of warning indications that need a dentist’s inspection.
A dentist should always be seen if you have bleeding gums, particularly if they are accompanied by jaw discomfort and visible gum swelling. Even if there are no wisdom tooth problems, recurrent bleeding gums cause to worry since they may signal gum disease.
The following symptoms may signal potentially significant dental problems:
- teeth that are loose or moving, receding gums ulcers inside your mouth, recurrent dry mouth toothache
- sensitivity of the teeth
- fractured or broken tooth filling, crowning or bridge damage, gum or cheek swelling
Wisdom teeth may cause issues.
Whether you’re a teething newborn or an 18-year-old with wisdom teeth, new teeth breaking through the surface of the gums may be painful. Even minor damage to the gum tissue may produce swelling and discomfort.
The main reason wisdom teeth are dangerous is that the adult mouth does not generally have space for four additional molars.
Consequently, impacted wisdom teeth might protrude at unusual angles and press against existing teeth. This may occur before the wisdom tooth reaches the gum line.
An impacted wisdom tooth pressing on the root of a neighbouring molar can cause jaw discomfort and may cause a negative shift in your teeth’s alignment. Therefore, an impacted tooth is generally extracted.
Disease, degradation, and other issues
When wisdom teeth only partly emerge, germs may accumulate under the gum line and cause an infection. This form of infection is frequently the source of more significant symptoms.
The flap that covers the tooth may cause discomfort and swelling, resulting in a disease known as pericoronitis.
Gum disease is also possible with impacted wisdom teeth; if not treated appropriately, bone and other teeth might be lost. In addition, like your other teeth, an impacted wisdom tooth may decay or create rot on the back of the second molar, potentially exposing the nerves.
Impacted wisdom teeth may also form a cyst or tumour, resulting in additional symptoms and possibly significant problems such as tooth or bone loss.
Complication avoidance
You may be able to prevent wisdom tooth difficulties if you receive regular dental examinations and frequent X-rays. You may also lower your risk of issues by seeing a dentist as soon as symptoms appear.
