Wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, typically come in quietly—no pain, no fuss, just a little extra teeth in the back. But unfortunately, that’s not always the case. Most people experience pain, pressure, or even infections as their wisdom teeth try to find their place in an already crowded area.
When you feel discomfort or pain in your mouth or jaw, or notice your teeth have shifted slightly, making your once-perfect smile feel a bit unaligned, it may indicate that your wisdom teeth are coming in.
These subtle changes might not seem harmful at first. However, they could be early warning signs from your wisdom teeth, alerting your nervous system to a potential problem, and sometimes the only effective solution is to remove the tooth entirely. So, how do you know when it’s time? Here are a few signs that might point you in that direction:
Wisdom Tooth Impaction
This is the main reason for a wisdom teeth removal and often the cause of the many other signs mentioned below. When we say a tooth is impacted, we mean it hasn’t grown in properly. It may be trapped beneath the gums, growing at an odd angle, or even pushing against the neighboring tooth.
If you choose to leave an impacted wisdom tooth untreated, this may damage the surrounding area, leading to intense pressure, jaw stiffness, and swelling. In more severe cases, a cyst can form around the impacted tooth, threatening the nerves and jawbone. The moment your dentist spots the impacted tooth on an X-ray, they will recommend extraction to prevent further complications.
Stiff, Painful Jaw
A soreness in your jaw is a clear indication that your wisdom teeth need extraction. The pain could be due to your wisdom tooth shifting its position, pushing against other teeth. If left in its place, it will become more complex than usual to open your mouth or chew comfortably.
Gum Inflammation
Gum inflammation isn’t something you can overlook or ignore, especially when it’s tied to wisdom teeth. If you feel tenderness near the back of your mouth, around your wisdom tooth, it can be a sign that a wisdom tooth is on its way to erupt. However, if the tooth is stuck halfway or, for some reason, gets impacted, this can lead to a condition called pericoronitis.
Pericoronitis occurs when food particles become trapped under the gum covering a wisdom tooth. This leads to gum inflammation, as the buildup of bacteria can cause pain, swelling, and sometimes a foul odor in the mouth.
Tooth Decay and Cavities
Sometimes, a single wisdom tooth can be the root cause of cavities in the mouth. When a wisdom tooth emerges partially, at an unusual angle, or causes crowding, it can create tight, hard-to-reach spaces that are difficult to keep clean. As a result, food particles and bacteria can easily accumulate, leading to plaque buildup and eventually tooth decay. If left untreated, these cavities can spread beyond the wisdom tooth and affect neighboring teeth as well—putting your overall oral health at risk.
Sinus Issues
Did you know that your oral health and sinuses are closely connected? As surprising as it might sound, any discomfort you experience from your wisdom teeth can extend far beyond your mouth, and here’s why: the roots of your wisdom teeth are located just beneath your sinus cavities, so any impaction or misalignment in your wisdom teeth can and will eventually affect your sinus.
Symptoms might include sinus pain, pressure, headaches, congestion, or even sinus infections. If you are dealing with persistent sinus discomfort and can’t really pinpoint the cause, then your wisdom teeth might be playing a hidden role, and it’s time for an extraction.
Visiting the best dentist in Dubai ensures that impacted wisdom teeth are assessed accurately and removed safely, minimizing pain and risk of infection.