Wisdom Teeth Woes: How to Know If Wisdom Teeth Are Impacted?

Embarking on the journey into adulthood comes with several rites of passage. One such milestone, though slightly less celebrated, is the appearance of your wisdom teeth. These late bloomers often make their grand entrance between the ages of 17 and 21. But sometimes, these so-called wisdom teeth stage a not-so-grand entry and get impacted. This can turn a regular rite of passage into a journey of discomfort and worry. So, how do you know if wisdom teeth are impacted? Let’s embark on this enlightening journey together.

Spotting Symptoms of Impacted Wisdom Teeth

Here are some common symptoms associated with impacted wisdom teeth:

Pain and Discomfort in the Back of the Mouth

In the corners of your mouth, you may encounter a gentle ache or sudden twinge, signaling the presence of impacted wisdom teeth. This discomfort serves as a friendly reminder from your body, indicating that something requires attention.

Swelling and Tenderness

You might encounter a soft, swollen sensation or tenderness around your jaw. This could very well be your body reacting to the stress of impacted wisdom teeth. The area may be sensitive to touch, adding an uncomfortable tinge to your day-to-day activities.

Difficulties in Mouth Opening

Occasionally, you may face challenges while opening your mouth, such as difficulty laughing or biting into food. These obstacles shed light on the presence of impacted wisdom teeth, urging you to understand their significance.

Constant Bad Breath or a Bad Taste in the Mouth

Are you reaching for mints or gum more often than you used to? Impacted wisdom teeth can play host to bacteria, resulting in persistent bad breath or a lingering bad taste in your mouth. These are not just taste spoilers, but also indicators that you might be dealing with impacted wisdom teeth.

Bleeding Gums

Don’t dismiss bleeding gums as a sign of flossing too hard. Especially if it’s around the back teeth, this could be more than just a dental hygiene issue. It’s one of the telltale signs that your wisdom teeth could be impacted.

Headaches

Recurrent headaches may surprise you as a sign. Often disregarded as everyday stress, these headaches may actually be your body’s way of signaling the presence of impacted wisdom teeth.

Do You Have to Remove Impacted Teeth?

Once you know the signs of impacted wisdom teeth, the burning question is – “how are impacted wisdom teeth removed?” This is where your personal experiences and professional advice come together. For some, impacted wisdom teeth may remain trouble-free, silent inhabitants of your mouth. But for others, they might become mischievous troublemakers, causing discomfort or potential harm to your oral health, necessitating their removal.

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What Might Happen If Ignore Impacted Wisdom Teeth?

If left unattended, impacted wisdom teeth can transform from a mere nuisance into a full-blown oral health issue. Potential problems range from painful cysts, gum disease, and tooth decay to alignment issues. The moral of the story? Ignoring impacted wisdom teeth is definitely not the wisest move.

How Are Impacted Wisdom Teeth Removed?

Are you wondering, “Are impacted wisdom teeth harder to remove?” The truth is, it depends on the position of the tooth. The removal typically involves a small incision in your gums, extraction of the tooth, and some stitches to aid healing. While it might sound a bit scary, rest assured, the procedure is performed under anesthesia, keeping discomfort at bay.

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Safe Wisdom Teeth Removal at NYC Dental Smiles

At NYC Dental Smiles, we understand that the thought of wisdom teeth removal can be nerve-wracking. But we’ve got your back – So, if you’re wondering “How to know if wisdom teeth are impacted?”– Schedule an appointment with us today and let us help you navigate your wisdom teeth woes with ease. Here’s to a journey of wisdom, with or without those wisdom teeth!

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Source:

James, W. (1940, May). REMOVAL OF IMPACTED LOWER WISDOM-TOOTH. The Lancet, 235(6089), 876–879. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736(00)61856-1

Hunt, E. (1935, February). WISDOM TEETH. The Lancet, 225(5816), 401–402. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736(00)57268-7

Keshary, A., & Hagan, M. (2020, October 20). Lemierre’s Syndrome Following Extraction of Wisdom Teeth. Cureus. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.11061