Wisdom teeth or third molars become impacted when the jaw doesn't have enough room for all the teeth to grow upright, causing the tooth to grow inwards towards the rest of the teeth. This can lead to several dental problems, including tooth decay and gum disease.
SYMPTOMS
The pain of impacted wisdom teeth is usually enough for you to know that there's something wrong. However, knowing the symptoms of this dental problem can help you identify the cause of the pain early.
- Swollen, tender, and bleeding gums
- Pain on the jaw, gum, or the impacted tooth
- Swelling around the jaw
- Bad breath
- An unpleasant taste in your mouth
- Difficulty opening your mouth
PREVENTION
You can't keep an impacted wisdom tooth from occurring, but keeping regular six-monthly dental appointments for cleaning and checkups allows your dentist to monitor the growth and emergence of your wisdom teeth. Regularly updated dental X-rays may indicate impacted wisdom teeth before any symptoms develop.
If you are experiencing any of the above mentioned symptoms or want to check the status of your wisdom teeth before they cause you pain, contact us right away to schedule an appointment.