Although getting a tooth extracted may sound unpleasant, leaving a wisdom tooth in place can lead to pain, infection, or other dental issues. Many people don’t consider getting their wisdom teeth removed until they become painful. Even if a wisdom tooth appears to be developing normally, it may be best to have it extracted to avoid future oral health issues. The following warning signs can help you determine whether it’s time to have your wisdom teeth removed.
Common Signs to Look Out For
Some people might not feel the pain that comes with impacted wisdom teeth. That does not mean there aren’t other indications that removal is necessary. The following are some typical signs that you should have your wisdom teeth removed:
1. Bleeding Gums
You may notice blood in the back of your teeth when you brush your teeth, which can happen when your third molars come in. Untreated oral health issues are a leading cause of bleeding gums. However, you might require impacted wisdom teeth extraction if your gums appear to be bleeding in a specific area or if they are bleeding along with other symptoms mentioned.
2. Persistent Aching Pain
Whether it’s while you’re chewing, talking, or even just smiling, if you’re experiencing pain in the back of your mouth, you may have an infection in your wisdom teeth. Like a regular toothache, the pain associated with wisdom teeth begins mildly but quickly escalates to a severe level. Visit your dentist or the emergency room if the pain persists or worsens rapidly (within 24 hours). You may need immediate treatment to remove your wisdom teeth.
3. Inflammation and Redness
Avoid ignoring these common early infection signs. If you see any swelling or redness along your gum line, you should schedule an appointment with your dentist. These signs may indicate that an infection has developed in your wisdom teeth. Sometimes they indicate that you have gingivitis, gum disease, or bad oral hygiene.
4. Overcrowded Teeth
When you look in the mirror, you may notice that your back teeth are too close together. If this is the case, there is probably not enough space for your wisdom teeth to come in where they should. As a result, you should schedule an appointment with your dentist to find out if you need your wisdom teeth extracted to avoid future dental problems.
The tooth’s root and crown must be replaced after extraction, so most people opt for San Jose implant dentistry.
5. Cavities
Wisdom teeth are difficult to clean. Because of their location at the very back of your mouth, many people have trouble reaching them when brushing and flossing. Wisdom teeth can make it hard to clean your teeth well, especially if they come in at weird angles or crowd your other teeth. If this is the case, plaque and cavities are more likely to form on and in between your teeth.
Because of this, wisdom teeth commonly develop cavities, which can cause discomfort and even infection if left untreated. When dental X-rays reveal that a bacterial infection has damaged the pulp, root canal treatment is usually advised.
6. Impacted Wisdom Teeth
The wisdom teeth are the last to grow. In order to develop normally, they commonly require extra space. When wisdom teeth become impacted, they grow sideways (instead of up and out like regular teeth) and can crowd other teeth. Most of the time, impacted wisdom teeth are not noticeable, and x-rays of the bite are the best way to find them.
