Wisdom teeth are so interesting. Some people have them. Some people don’t. Some people have a few, and some people had them removed at some point. Not everyone needs their wisdom teeth removed, but sometimes it’s a problem and they have to go. How do you know, though, if your wisdom teeth need to come out? Well, your dentist is going to make the suggestion if it looks like they’re turning into a problem, but sometimes you have to make that call on your own. There are some signs your wisdom teeth need to go, and it’s time to pay attention.
It might be pain in your gums, it might be your jaw, it might be nowhere specific, but you know you feel pain. There is a lot that might happen when you have your wisdom teeth. They might hurt only because they’re coming in and it’s essentially like teething. The gum must be broken through, the pain is significant, and it’s not always isolated.
One thing we can say is you might not notice your wisdom teeth when they come in. Some people are just fortunate enough not to realize they’re coming through, which can be good for pain-related reasons. However, if you don’t know you have them and you don’t see the dentist regularly, you could face a bigger problem.
Your teeth can move because there’s too much crowding. You might not realize your teeth are being pushed because your mouth is making room for new teeth, and it can affect your smile. If you notice your teeth are starting to look as though they’re becoming crooked or not aligned, it’s time for you to call your dentist. It could be wisdom teeth moving them out of place and ruining your smile.
Swollen gums are a sign wisdom teeth must be removed. They might be accompanied by signs of gum disease in the back, and there might be other underlying issues at play. If your gums are swollen longer than a few days or for a reason you cannot describe, it’s time to call the dentist and handle things accordingly.
People have a preconceived notion about the process of wisdom teeth extraction. It’s not something they can easily go do without a little time, and there are some major misconceptions regarding the idea. Many people believe it’s painful, it takes weeks to recover, and it’s horrible. It’s not fun, but it’s not that bad. Your dentist is going to provide you with plenty of medication to ease the pain of your surgery when you’re done, and you’re also getting a long list of things to eat and how to handle recovery. It’s easier than it’s ever been.
If you suspect your wisdom teeth are a problem, call us at Vestal Dental Associates. We can work with you to help come up with a treatment plan so that your wisdom teeth removal procedure goes smoothy. Your oral health is more important than just to provide you with a pretty smile. It’s to help you stay healthy, to decrease your risk of disease later in life, and to help you feel more confident.