Found at the back of the mouth, wisdom teeth are the last adult teeth to come in. Most people have four wisdom teeth, two on top and two on the bottom. But that’s not always the case. Some people don’t have any! Wisdom teeth can cause dental problems. More often than not, they need to be removed. Here are five signs that it’s time to take them out.
- Swelling and redness in your gums
- Pain
- Crowded teeth
- Face swelling
- Bad breath
Gum swelling and redness are the first signs that your wisdom teeth are coming in. While the tenderness may not be painful initially, inflammation still indicates stress.
After tenderness, erupting wisdom teeth will start to cause pain. As the teeth struggle to emerge, they hurt your gums and jaw. You might even start to get headaches.
Do you feel like your bite is changing or your teeth are closer together than usual? As wisdom teeth erupt, they put pressure on other teeth. They want to fit in! You don’t want your other teeth to move, though, so taking out the wisdom teeth is necessary.
As wisdom teeth begin to erupt, your gums swell. Sometimes that swelling affects the jaw and face, as well. If you notice your cheeks and/or jawline look swollen, it could be because your wisdom teeth are coming in.
One of the odder signs is bad breath. Erupting wisdom teeth can create gum flaps and spaces where bacteria build up. If your breath is worse than normal, wisdom teeth could be the reason.
Experiencing These Signs?
Come to Helotes Family Dentistry if you’ve noticed any of these five signs. If you need to get your wisdom teeth removed, the dentists at our Helotes office will ensure that the process is comfortable and safe. With X-rays, we’ll identify exactly where the wisdom teeth are before creating a plan. After the surgery, we’ll provide you with detailed aftercare instructions. Contact us today to set up an appointment!
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