Many people experience pain or swelling at the back of the mouth during their late teens or early twenties. This usually happens when wisdom teeth, or third molars, start to push through. Although not everyone experiences symptoms, many people experience discomfort that requires evaluation by a dentist.
If you are unsure whether your wisdom teeth need to be removed, this guide will help you understand common signs, symptoms, and when it is necessary to get your wisdom teeth extracted.
What Are Wisdom Teeth?
Wisdom teeth are the very last set of teeth to come in, usually appearing between the ages of 17 and 25. Also called third molars, these four teeth grow at the very back of your mouth in both the upper and lower jaws.
Not everyone grows third molars, or if they do have wisdom teeth, they aren’t painful for them. But for many, they are painful and can cause an infection; in such a situation, they need to be extracted.
When Is Wisdom Tooth Extraction Needed?
Third molar removal is needed when it starts causing problems. Sometimes your wisdom tooth is unable to grow normally and is stuck inside the gum, which may increase the risk of infection or cyst development in some cases.
In other cases, your third molar tooth has partly grown, which can trap bacteria in the small spaces around the tooth and make it difficult to clean. There are also situations where your wisdom teeth do not have enough space to grow, so they cause crowding and impact the alignment of other teeth.
How Do You Know If You Need Wisdom Tooth Extraction?
Wisdom tooth problems usually start slowly, but there are several signs that may indicate you need wisdom tooth extraction.
- You may feel pain in the back of your mouth.
- Your gums may become swollen.
- You might have jaw pain that can lead to headaches.
- Your jaw may feel stiff, making it difficult to chew comfortably.
- Your teeth may start to crowd.
- You may experience repeated infections or cyst formation around the wisdom teeth.
When Wisdom Tooth Removal May Not Be Necessary
Wisdom teeth don’t always have to come out. In many cases, these back teeth grow in perfectly straight without causing any pain. If the tooth is fully grown and lined up correctly, you can clean it easily while brushing or flossing. As long as you can keep it healthy, there is no reason to have it removed.
In such cases, the dentist usually recommends keeping the wisdom teeth. However, you should still monitor them just to avoid any complications.
Closing Note
Wisdom teeth do not always need to be removed. If you experience any soreness, pain, or discomfort, you should get it checked by a dentist. If you are looking for a consultation in Cypress, you can reach out to our team at Smile Artisans, or you can contact us at (832) 220-6087 to schedule an appointment.