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.

TMJ Symptoms and Treatment

TMJ or TMD (Temporomandibular joint disorder) is a very common medical condition even though most of the time people fail to recognize the problem.  The temporomandibular joint connects the lower jaw to the base of the skull. How you chew your food and how your jaws meet together can be a reason for discomfort and pain in this joint and the muscles associated with it. If you have a TMJ problem, the best dentists in Sanford that you can go to are at Oakport Dental.

Symptoms of TMJ

If you have recurrent health issues like migraines, headaches, facial pain, neck, shoulder and back ache then don’t ignore the problem as it could be because of TMJ.  It’s imperative to make an appointment to visit your dentist because they might be able to help with your TMJ issues.

A common symptom associated with TMJ disorder is clenching your teeth during the day and grinding them at night – also known as bruxism. This might result in your teeth becoming worn out and if this occurs in conjunction with migraines, shoulder pain and the like then it’s important to consult your dentist as early as possible. Sanford Dentists at Oakport Dental are committed to addressing this problem.

Common symptoms of TMJ disorder

·         Bruxism – grinding or clenching your teeth

·         Clicking or popping noises when you chew

·         Difficulty opening your mouth wide

·         Pain in the muscles around the jaw

·         Pain in front of the ear, spreading to the temple, cheek or ear itself

·         Headache or migraine

·         Back, neck or shoulder ache

·         Pain or buzzing in the ear

·         Insomnia

Causes of TMJ

The first procedure employed by your dentist will be to analyze and determine the cause of your TMJ disorder and related discomfort.  Several factors can lead to TMJ syndrome like misalignment of the teeth or jaw, teeth grinding, injury to the teeth or jaw, poor posture, arthritis, stress, and gum chewing. The condition is also further aggravated due to stress, injury, changes to your bite (poorly fitted dentures) and as part of a wider medical condition such as fibromyalgia. Sometimes, the condition has no obvious cause.

Treatment for TMJ

Temporomandibular joint disorders can sometimes be addressed through home remedies which include placing ice packs to the jaw joint, avoiding chewing gum and gently massaging the jaw and neck. Other measures are eating soft foods, stress management and applying relaxation therapies. If these home remedies fail to alleviate your discomfort, it’s best to seek medical advice from a dentist. Unlike other dentists in Sanford, we at Oakport Dental do not believe that the only solution for this issue is through surgery. At our private dental practice in Sanford, we will evaluate your condition and make a treatment plan to finally end the discomfort and pain caused by TMJ problems.

One of the most common treatments is to wear a mouth guard at night. These hard plastic guards are similar to sports mouth guards and prevent the surfaces of your teeth from grinding together while you sleep. Your mouth guard will be made to fit your teeth exactly for maximum comfort. Other treatments for TMJ include physical therapy, anti-inflammatory drugs and pain relievers such as aspirin and acetaminophen. In severe cases of TMJ surgery on the jaw or dental surgery may be carried out.