Managing Wisdom Teeth That Are Causing Problems
Wisdom teeth typically emerge between the ages of 17 and 25. For some people, they come through without any issues at all. But for others, there is not enough room in the jaw, the teeth come through at an awkward angle, or they get stuck under the gum, which can lead to pain, infection, or damage to the neighbouring teeth.
At Good Smile Dental in Windsor, we can help assess wisdom teeth as part of routine check-ups using an OPG scan. We can also carry out wisdom teeth removal where it’s clinically needed.
Signs Your Wisdom Teeth May Need to Be Removed
Not all wisdom teeth need to be removed. They only become a problem when they are impacted (stuck), poorly positioned, or causing other issues. Common signs include:
- Pain or tenderness at the back of the jaw, especially behind the last molar
- Swelling or redness in the gums around a wisdom tooth
- Difficulty opening your mouth fully
- Bad breath or a bad taste coming from the back of your mouth
- Headaches or jaw pain on the side where the wisdom tooth is coming through
- An infection or swelling around a partially emerged wisdom tooth (called pericoronitis)
- Pressure or shifting of the neighbouring teeth
- Decay in a wisdom tooth that can’t be properly cleaned because of its position
If you’re noticing any of these, it’s worth booking a check-up. Some symptoms come and go, but they often return more severely, so an assessment helps you plan ahead.