If you’ve never had to have your wisdom teeth removed, then you are lucky.
If you’ve never had to have your wisdom teeth removed, then you are lucky. Wisdom teeth are the last four teeth to appear. They’ll do so sometime between the late teens and mid-20s, but that doesn’t mean you always need to get them removed.
Size Matters
When it comes to your mouth, size matters. Like the rest of your teeth, your wisdom teeth need enough room to grow. When they finally do start coming in, it’s easy for them to grow crooked, especially if you have a smaller mouth. Where is the tooth located on your jaw? There are different types of impaction. For instance, soft tissue impaction happens when the crown has come in, but the rest of the wisdom tooth is unable to pop through the gum. Another type is when only part of the tooth has emerged, but the rest is still inside the jaw. This is called partial bony impaction.
Common Symptoms
The biggest problem with impacted wisdom teeth is that they are hard to detect. In fact, you will most likely need to visit your dentist to find out how they are growing. If your gums suddenly start to hurt, that’s an early warning sign. The pain comes from infections or swelling. You might also experience bleeding around the gums, bad breath, headaches, and even your jaw becoming rigid.
Next Steps
As soon as you start experiencing these unpleasant symptoms, it’s time to go see your dentist. Two possible conditions that can develop if impacted wisdom teeth are left alone include gum disease and tooth decay. You don’t want either of those to happen to you. Your other teeth might become infected as well, or they’ll feel uncomfortably close to one another.
Don’t neglect your dentist appointments. You might think only going once a year will be enough, but at least twice is a good idea. After all, you could benefit from a cleaning, too. In any case, having dental x-rays done can help spot impacted wisdom teeth before they become a problem.
You Can Trust Olney Dental for All of Your Oral Care Needs
For all of your oral care questions and concerns, Olney Dental has the expertise and professionalism to get them the answers they need. Olney Dental is ready to supply you with expert service in a professional environment. Schedule an appointment online today! For more information on how we can give your family the best dentist experience available, give us a call at (301) 250-1057 or contact us online. For more dental tips, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, YouTube, and Pinterest.