Wisdom teeth are your third set of molars that usually come in between the ages of 17 and 21. They may have served their purpose for our ancient ancestors, but nowadays, they don’t do much besides cause problems for our smiles. Although they don’t always require extraction, they have a tendency to grow in at odd angles, cause overcrowding, or become impacted. Here are some signs that tell you it's time to pay your dentist a visit to have your wisdom tooth extracted.
When your wisdom teeth start to erupt, your gums will often swell and become tender at the eruption site. Because that area becomes extremely sensitive, tiny bits of food can create lesions, making room for bacteria to get in and cause an infection.
This can be constant or can occur once in a while. The pain can also vary in intensity, but pain in the back of the mouth is among the first signs that your wisdom tooth is about to erupt.
If you notice bleeding while brushing your teeth and can trace it to the back of your mouth, then that's another sign that your wisdom teeth are coming in and you need to see your dentist.
Most people's jaws are not wide enough to accommodate a third set of molars. More often than not, wisdom teeth can cause your teeth to become crowded and affect your bite.
If you start noticing pain and stiffness in your jaw, then it's best to schedule an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible.
As the molars are trying to break through the gums, they start pushing through and poking out. That can lead to swelling and pain.
Although many people think that a toothache is only an oral issue, it can lead to complications that can be felt in other parts of the body too, like the head or ears. The discomfort caused by wisdom teeth can be a sign that they need to be removed.
In modern days, we don't really need an additional set of molars, so there's usually not enough room in most people's oral cavity for them at all. But regardless of our necessity for them, wisdom teeth will erupt anyway and push the other teeth towards each other, causing them to shift and overlap.
Teeth overcrowding can lead to additional oral health problems, like gum disease, making it important to address the issue early on rather than later.
If you are already feeling any of these symptoms, our team at Sarasota Bay Dental offers quality, modern dental care to all of our patients. Contact us now to schedule your appointment in Sarasota and get your smile on the right path.
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