Wisdom Teeth

The very last teeth that will emerge in your mouth are wisdom teeth. Typically, wisdom teeth will begin to come through around 18 years of age. However, some adults don’t see their wisdom teeth until they are in their 20’s, and some have dormant wisdom teeth that never emerge. Depending on your smile, your mouth may or may not have room for these wisdom teeth. Wisdom teeth are an extra set of molars in the far back of the mouth, but they often cause problems when growing in. Wisdom teeth can cause complications both below the gumline and to surrounding teeth if they do not have proper space or are misaligned.

Symptoms of Wisdom Teeth Developing

The following symptoms may occur if you are having trouble with your wisdom teeth emerging:

• Swollen gums or jaw
• Tender or bleeding gums
• Jaw pain
• Bad breath or bad taste in mouth
• Trouble opening your mouth
• Headaches
• Infection in the gums

Wisdom Teeth Complications

• Impaction

  A wisdom tooth becomes impacted when there is no room for the tooth to grow. When the tooth cannot erupt into the mouth properly, it may push on surrounding teeth, causing damage to teeth or crowding of the jaw.

• Partial eruption

  One of the most common reasons for wisdom teeth pain is partial eruption. This is when a portion of the tooth erupts out of the gums, and another portion is still embedded inside the jaw. Partial eruption of the tooth can cause bacteria to form below the gumline and lead to infection.

• Tumors or cysts

  When a wisdom tooth is impacted, a tumor or cyst can form. This can harm surrounding teeth if left untreated and compromise a patient’s overall health.

Reasons for Wisdom Tooth Removal

Many people need to have their wisdom teeth removed due to impaction, partial eruption, tumors or cysts. Others just want to be proactive and remove the teeth before problems arise. During an examination, if our team notices any complications, we may recommend removal of your wisdom teeth. Wisdom teeth are often surgically removed due to the difficult position they are in and the possibility of impaction. An experienced surgeon will carefully remove your wisdom teeth, helping to protect your surrounding teeth and relieve pain and discomfort. If you are experiencing trouble with wisdom teeth, we can help! Call our office today to get started.