Wisdom teeth are a set of third molars that typically develop between the ages of 17 and 25. Many people might associate wisdom teeth with funny videos of patients coming off of anesthesia; however, wisdom teeth can cause serious problems if they aren’t treated properly.
In many cases, an individual’s mouth is too crowded to allow wisdom teeth to develop properly behind the molars, so the teeth become trapped, or impacted, when they begin to grow. Fully impacted wisdom teeth fully break through the surface of the gums, while a partially impacted tooth only breaks through to where some of the crown may be visible.
In both cases, the tooth may grow at the improper angle, which can result in complications including: damage to other teeth, cysts, infection, decay, and gum disease.
While impacted wisdom teeth do not always show symptoms, there are certain signs that may point to impacted wisdom teeth. Symptoms may include:
- Pain
- Swollen and bleeding gums
- Swelling around the jaw
- Bad breath
- Headache or jaw ache
- Unpleasant taste when eating
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Jaw stiffness
Since some people experience no symptoms, the best way to avoid complications from impacted wisdom teeth is to receive regular dental exams and x-rays. When the dentist finds evidence of impacted wisdom teeth, he or she will likely recommend surgery to have them removed.
If you or a loved one has experienced the above symptoms, contact the team at Cannon Park Dental today to help prevent future pain and complications. You can reach us online or at (843) 723-5346.