Do you wonder if your oral discomfort is being caused by your wisdom teeth? You have come to the right place! Throughout this blog, we are going to point out the signs of wisdom tooth pain and what you can do to get relief.
Wisdom Tooth 101
Wisdom teeth are also referred to as third molars. Some basic information about them includes:
- Wisdom teeth are the last teeth to develop.
- They grow at the back of the mouth behind the molars.
- There’s typically a set of wisdom teeth at the bottom and a set at the top.
- They often emerge between the ages of 17-25.
- Wisdom teeth often cause pain and complications.
Wisdom tooth issues are quite common. In fact, the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS) states that nine out of 10 people have at least one impacted tooth.
The Complications of Wisdom Teeth
As wisdom teeth appear, often times there is not enough room for them to come in without causing negative effects. They introduce a number of oral issues, including:
- Misalignment and overcrowding of teeth
- Impacted wisdom teeth
- Infection, decay and periodontal disease
Signs of Wisdom Tooth Pain
Signs that you’re suffering from wisdom tooth pain include:
- Experiencing pain in the back of your mouth – behind the molars.
- Red, inflamed or tender gum area where wisdom teeth have begun to poke through.
- Jaw pain and tenderness, often times while chewing.
- Bad breath or a bad taste when you bite down on food.
- Cysts that form around the tooth.
If you think you may be experiencing wisdom tooth pain, the best plan of action is to visit your dentist for recommendations on how to alleviate your pain.
Taking Preventative Action
Just because you’re not experiencing any pain doesn’t mean your oral health is problem-free. Obvious symptoms or not, it is prudent to ask your dentist to periodically evaluate the presence and positioning of your wisdom teeth and any other potential issues they could cause.
If wisdom teeth do need to be removed, future complications can be greatly reduced and healing times are optimized when the procedure is carried out sooner than later. Contact us today and let your oral health benefit from our years of training, experience and dental care in Greenville, NC, include the treatment of your wisdom teeth.
Share with us: Have all of your wisdom teeth come in? How old were you when the first one came through?