Are you experiencing jaw pain? If so, there’s a chance your wisdom teeth may be impacted. So what are wisdom teeth and how can they cause pain? In this blog, Richard Hardt, D.D.S., explains what wisdom teeth are, where they’re located, and what may be the reasons to have them removed.
Where and when wisdom teeth erupt
Unlike most teeth, wisdom teeth don’t come in right away. Wisdom teeth usually come in between ages 17-25, although they can begin to grow in the bone as early as age 7.
When these four permanent adult molars come in, they should appear at the back of the mouth, one on each side of the bottom jaw and one on each side of the upper jaw. However, these teeth may never break through the gumline, which can become a dental concern.
Wisdom teeth and jaw pain
Just as when your baby and adult teeth came in, it’s normal to experience some pain when your wisdom teeth push through the gumline. For some people, this will be the worst of it, and then everything will go back to normal once their teeth fully come in.
For many people though, these teeth may need to be monitored as they come in to watch for signs of infection or other dental health concerns. Any time you experience pain in your mouth, you should make an appointment with your dentist to make sure there is no cause for concern.
When it comes to wisdom teeth, you need to be aware that they could become impacted. Impacted wisdom teeth can cause significant jaw pain and be a source of a host of other oral health complications, so they need to be addressed right away.
What does it mean when a wisdom tooth is impacted?
When a wisdom tooth is impacted, that means it fails to erupt above the gumline or even the bone. When the tooth gets stuck in your jawbone or cannot push through your gums all the way, this can create the perfect opportunity for bacteria and disease to thrive in your mouth. In this situation, you may experience the following symptoms:
- Pain
- Discomfort
- Bad breath
- Swelling
- Gum disease
- Tooth decay
Wisdom tooth removal
Impacted wisdom teeth are an immediate concern. If left for too long, they can have disastrous effects on the health and beauty of your smile. To remedy the situation, Dr. Hardt may discuss removing your impacted wisdom teeth. This procedure, which is very common, can alleviate your pain, help resolve any infections, and restore the integrity of your smile.
Wisdom tooth removal may also be ideal if your mouth does not have enough room for your wisdom teeth to sit comfortably. If there is not enough room, they can push against surrounding teeth, which can lead to crooked teeth and overcrowding as your teeth fight for room.
To learn more about wisdom teeth and whether or not you may need to have yours removed, book an appointment over the phone with Richard Hardt, D.D.S. today.