Signs and Symptoms of Impacted Wisdom Teeth
If you’ve felt pain in the back of your mouth, your wisdom teeth might be causing the trouble. These are the last molars to come in, and sometimes they don’t have enough space, leading to problems. Knowing the signs of impacted wisdom teeth can help you take care of the issue before it gets worse. Wisdom teeth usually appear in your late teens or early twenties. When they don’t have enough room to grow properly, they can become impacted, which means they can’t come in all the way. This can cause different issues and discomfort that need attention and care.
Here are some signs that can show you have impacted wisdom teeth:
Pain and Discomfort:
You might feel persistent pain and tenderness in the back of your mouth. Pain when you chew or bite down could mean your wisdom teeth are not coming in the right way.
Swelling:
If your gums in the back of your mouth are swollen and red, it could mean your wisdom teeth are impacted. Swelling indicates there’s inflammation, which can lead to an infection.
Jaw Stiffness:
If your jaw feels stiff or painful, especially near the affected area, it might be a sign of impacted wisdom teeth. Having trouble fully opening your mouth can also be a result of this issue.
Unpleasant Taste or Bad Breath:
Impacted wisdom teeth can create a place for bacteria to grow, leading to an unpleasant taste in your mouth or bad breath that doesn’t go away even with good oral hygiene.
Difficulty in Cleaning:
Since they are at the back of the mouth, it can be hard to clean impacted wisdom teeth properly. This can lead to a buildup of food and bacteria, increasing the risk of cavities, gum disease, and infections.
Managing Impacted Wisdom Teeth
If you think your wisdom teeth are impacted, it’s important to see a dentist soon. The dentist will do a thorough exam and take X-rays to see how your wisdom teeth are positioned and how impacted they are. Depending on how bad it is, the dentist might suggest a few treatments:
Pain Management:
Taking over-the-counter pain medicine can help with the discomfort caused by impacted wisdom teeth. But you should talk to your dentist before taking any medicine.
Antibiotics:
If there’s an infection, our dentist in The Colony might prescribe antibiotics to control and get rid of it. Make sure to take all the antibiotics as your dentist tells you to.
Surgical Extraction:
If the impaction is severe or the symptoms don’t go away, the dentist might recommend removing the impacted wisdom teeth through surgery. An oral surgeon will do this under local or general anesthesia.
Although it’s not always possible to avoid impacted wisdom teeth, maintaining good dental hygiene can help reduce the likelihood of issues. Finding and treating any possible problems with your wisdom teeth can be aided by routine dental checkups, brushing, and flossing, Knowing the signs of impacted wisdom teeth and getting dental care quickly can prevent more problems. Being careful and dealing with any symptoms early can keep your teeth and gums healthy, so you can have a happy and healthy smile for a long time.
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