Adolescence is a tough time, and one of the things that makes this stage so hard is wisdom teeth. Other people experience these issues later in adulthood, while a lucky few don’t experience any wisdom teeth trouble at all. Unfortunately, for most, it’s a painful process that often results in extracting some or all of your wisdom teeth.
Let’s take a closer look at the signs of problematic wisdom teeth and when you should be booking an appointment with a general dentist in Canterbury.
What are Wisdom Teeth?
Wisdom teeth do go by a few names. Some call them “third molars” or “final molars” because they are the third and final molars to cut through your gums. Unfortunately, “wisdom teeth” have little to do with how clever or “wise” you become. These teeth usually start cutting through around the age of 17 to 25, although they can appear at much later ages too. The name simply refers to the time when adolescents start to grow up.
Why Do Those Final Molars Become Problematic?
A lot of young people are hardly aware of the changes occurring in the back of their mouths. If these teeth are not problematic, you might just notice some swelling, pressure, and discomfort as they emerge.
These molars tend to become problematic when there isn’t enough room for them behind the other molars or when they are trying to emerge at an unsuitable angle.
Top Signs to Get Your Wisdom Teeth Checked – Or Removed
Wisdom teeth removal in Canterbury isn’t something all youths or adults have to go through. The molars are only cleared away when they are a problem. It is, however, true that about 85% of Australians do need third molar extraction. This is mostly because there isn’t enough space for them to come out properly. When your molars are a problem, you will experience all sorts of unpleasant problems, including the following:
- Pain in Jaw or Back of Mouth
This type of pain tends to have a numb feel and could affect the area behind your teeth, your jawbone, or even part of your throat.
- Swollen or Bleeding Gums
As pressure forms, the gums can become swollen and might even begin to bleed. It is especially important to watch out for cysts since these can be extremely damaging.
- Jaw Stiffness
Your jaw might feel stiff or sore when you open or close your mouth. This is especially common early in the morning.
- Headaches or Earaches
It is not just your gums that might get all sore. The pressure in your teeth might trigger tension headaches. Swelling and inflammation can also increase pressure on your ear canals and eardrums, which might cause pain.
- Visible Teeth Shifting
All of the teeth in your mouth could be pushed forward by wisdom teeth that are growing at an unsuitable angle. This can result in crowding or even cracking.
- Infections or Cysts
You are more likely to develop ear infections, gum infections, and painful cysts when your wisdom teeth are a problem.
What Can Happen if Wisdom Tooth Removal is Delayed for Too Long?
When problematic molars are not removed, they can cause quite a few problems. Here are some of the most common issues you might face if you don’t book a wisdom tooth extraction early enough;
- Teeth can become crooked from pressure.
- Cracks might appear in other teeth.
- Extraction can become more complex as the tooth problem worsens.
- Pain and headaches can increase.
- Infections or cysts can form, which could affect your jawbone or lead to serious health conditions.
Contact Our Dentists in Christchurch for a Wisdom Tooth Consultation
It is always better to get your third molars checked before you start noticing signs like shifting teeth, or the pain becomes too severe. We highly encourage parents to bring tenagers in to our Canterbury dental practice for wisdom teeth screening. With the care of our experienced dental team, your teeth will be in good hands.
Contact Sweet Tooth Dental now to book your wisdom tooth checkup in Christchurch.
