Problematic Signs and Symptoms

Not all wisdom teeth will need to be extracted, even if they are impacted or erupted at an incorrect angle, it really depends on whether or not your dentist feels they pose some threat to the rest of your teeth, and of course, if they are causing you any discomfort. There is still some debate among industry professionals concerning extraction of wisdom teeth, with some dentists preferring to leave them in place if they are not too problematic, to save the patient the trauma of surgery and possible complications that can arise, whilst other dentists maintain that the molars should be removed at the first signs of impaction, to prevent problems down the line. Let’s examine some of the common signs and symptoms that may mean an extraction is required, but remember, it’s a choice that is ultimately left to the discretion of your dentist.

What are some typical signs that my wisdom teeth need to be extracted?

Impaction – This in itself is not always a problem, if you can keep your teeth clean and healthy, and there is no associated pain, most dentists would advise against an extraction. However, if the impacted molar is causing you some discomfort, it does need to be removed; otherwise the problem will escalate and begin to affect the neighbouring teeth. Your dentist will be able to identify an impacted tooth by simply looking in your mouth, or taking an x-ray, if the tooth is still beneath the gum line. A full impaction can be more serious than a partial eruption, mainly because the tooth is embedded in the soft tissue and can cause lots of complications whilst remaining impossible to clean.

Jaw pain or stiffness – Impacted wisdom teeth can sometimes cause problems with the joints close by, leading to difficulty chewing or just resting your chin on your hand. Jaw pain can occasionally be more than just inconvenient, as it may result in distorted chewing patterns or changes in weight distribution, as your muscles try to compensate for the affected area, this can even go as far as orthodontic problems or referred pains in the head and neck.

Gum irritation – A partially erupted tooth, which breaks through at an incorrect angle, can sometimes rub on the soft tissues in the mouth, irritating them; in cases like this, an extraction may be necessary, especially if the tooth shows no signs of fully erupting to function correctly.

Tooth decay – This type of symptom is not always immediately obvious, but it does need to be dealt with as soon as it becomes apparent, before the centre of the tooth succumbs to infection and the problem spreads down the root.

Gum disease – This is another sign that is difficult to detect, simply because the first stages don’t come with a large amount of discomfort. However, without treatment, a wisdom tooth affected by gum disease is going to put all the other teeth at risk and it should be extracted – if you notice any bleeding when you brush your teeth, make an appointment with your dentist.

Crowding – Although this is a gradual process, it can occur without you noticing, which is one of the reasons you should keep in regular contact with your dentist, they can begin treatment before the situation gets out of control. You might start to see minor changes in the positioning of your teeth, as wisdom teeth – even fully erupted ones – can push the others forward in an effort to make room on the jaw line, if their simply isn’t enough space, the teeth at the front will start to appear jumbled and crowded together. This doesn’t happen with all wisdom teeth, but it is a fairly common complaint, and can be costly if they are not extracted before the damage is done.

Swellings – Sometimes the gum flap which sits over the top of a partially erupted molar can become infected, due to the fact that bacterial waste and plaque acid has been allowed to develop in hard to reach places beneath the tissue. Without the appropriate treatment, infection can spread to the surrounding gums, where painful swellings can develop. This type of problem may also cause the jaw muscles to feel stiff or swollen, making it difficult to bite and chew properly. Wisdom teeth in this condition need to be removed, to prevent the infection from spreading and affecting the body’s circulatory system.

Are there any other symptoms I should look out for?

It’s not always easy to identify the cause of generic dental problems, such as toothache, gum disease, etc. but a simple x-ray should help your dentist detect the offending tooth and remove it if necessary. You can also help to move the treatment along, by making your dentist aware of all the signs and symptoms you are experiencing, even if they seem unrelated, or quite minor; mention how you are feeling generally, and give a quick overview of your cleaning habits, so that the dentist can discern whether the problem is above or below the gum line. If you have toothache or your jaw feels stiff and tender, look out for other symptoms which may include; bad breath, a bad taste in your mouth when eating and drinking, headaches, neck pains, and tender gums. Furthermore, the lymph glands in your neck can often become swollen, so carefully check around the area for any changes in appearance or size.

What if I start to feel very unwell?

More serious symptoms, such as dizziness, nausea, and a high fever, should not be ignored; they are signs of deeper reaching infection, which requires more than an extraction to fix. Without treatment, infection can develop into septicaemia and eventually cause the major organs to start shutting down. The sooner you seek medical assistance, the better your chances are, so don’t delay, get to a hospital quickly. If you’re worried about how your wisdom teeth are affecting your general health, make an appointment at the Pearl Dental Clinic, their fully-trained, experienced staff members are always available to help with a range of problems, they even run a twenty-four hour emergency clinic, for accidents and injuries that occur out of office hours.