Warning Signs of Impacted Wisdom Teeth

The removal of one’s wisdom teeth is commonplace and this practice is very important to ensuring your continued oral health. Your wisdom teeth, also known as the third molars, can become impacted and cause you debilitating pain if not removed. To prevent this from happening it is often recommended to have your wisdom teeth removed even before they begin to show signs of causing future complications.

If you haven’t had your wisdom teeth removed yet, make sure you’re aware of the potential of complications and know the warning signs and symptoms of impacted teeth so you can take immediate action before serious trouble starts. Be on the lookout for any of the following symptoms that can be caused by impacted wisdom teeth:

1. Pain or Swelling of the Jaw

One of the most common signs of impacted wisdom teeth is pain originating from the back of your mouth along your jawline, where your wisdom teeth are located. As the condition worsens this pain has been known to spread throughout the entire mouth and skull, even going so far as to cause headaches. Your mouth may also experience swelling along the jawline caused by this impaction of the wisdom teeth.

2. Sensitive or Swollen Gums

Any swelling in and around your mouth, especially that of your gums, can be a sign of dental complications you should have looked at immediately. Swollen gums are another symptom commonly associated with impacted wisdom teeth. Not only have they been known to swell up due to this condition, but your gums may become tender and sensitive or experience bleeding.

3. Bad Breath and Foul Taste

When your wisdom teeth become impacted, the area in the gums may become infested with bacteria, leading to an infection that rots your teeth. This rot will leave a very foul taste inside your mouth and will cause your breath to be equally rotten smelling. If you are experiencing these symptoms, regardless of any of the others, you should seek out dental assistance right away as it is an obvious dental health issue even without impacted wisdom teeth being the cause.

4. Other Symptoms and Complications

Impacted wisdom teeth are associated with causing a wide array of different complications as well. These complications can include headaches and earaches, swollen glands, a difficulty in opening your mouth and chewing, a shooting pain throughout your mouth focused towards the back where your wisdom teeth are located, irreversible nerve damage, and more. Any pain or discomfort involving your mouth, teeth, or gums should be assessed by your dentist right away in order to rule out more serious conditions or catch them early on before the trouble they cause begins to worsen.

 If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, do not hesitate to contact your local dentist immediately so as to catch any developing problems as soon as possible. For your continued oral well being, take preventative measures now. The consequences of ignoring the symptoms of impacted wisdom teeth can be dire and highly detrimental to your mouth’s well being. Among the consequences you may face:

1. Damage, Crowding, and Realignment of your Teeth

As impacted wisdom teeth continue to push at the teeth around them in order to grow in, serious alignment issues are known to occur. Your other teeth can be pushed out of place, creating an overcrowding of your teeth and further damage that will need to be corrected.

2. Gum Disease and Tooth Decay

While bad breath and foul tastes within your mouth due to your wisdom teeth beginning to rot are symptoms to look out for in identifying the condition of impacted wisdom teeth, ignoring these signs can lead to further tooth decay and gum disease as the condition progresses without treatment. This infection and decay can result in serious damage to your mouth.

3. Nerve-Damaging Cysts

A less common symptom of impacted wisdom teeth is that your nerves may face irreparable damage if the condition goes untreated. The sacs in which your wisdom teeth grow, along the interior of the jaw, may become filled with fluid, creating cysts within your mouth. These cysts can cause nerve damage and are also known to cause severe pain and damage to your other teeth in the surrounding area.

Taking immediate action at the first sign of impacted wisdom teeth and other dental conditions is in your best interest in order to avoid the risk of further complications. If you are located within the Sanford area and are in need of a dental professional, our Oakford Dental office is here to help, so please call in order to make an appointment as soon as possible to nip any developing problems in the bud so you can continue to have a happy, healthy mouth.