Signs of Impacted Wisdom Teeth
April 11, 2018
Wisdom teeth, or third molars, are remnants a past when our ancestors needed more biting and chewing power to eat tougher foods. In modern times, our jawbones have gotten smaller and we eat softer foods, and this makes having a third set of molars extraneous. We do not need our wisdom teeth for proper function of our mouth. In fact, wisdom teeth can become problematic and require extraction. Many people experience trouble known as wisdom tooth impaction, which is a condition where the eruption of the third molars becomes impeded by the adjacent second molars making it so the wisdom teeth cannot erupt properly from the jawbone. Because of the problems they can cause, impacted wisdom teeth are the most frequently extracted types of teeth. When a wisdom tooth becomes impacted, it can continue to try and push against the nearby teeth.
Tooth and Mouth Pain
As your wisdom teeth push against the rest of your teeth, it can create pain and discomfort. The entire area of your mouth can become increasingly more painful. The wisdom tooth and those nearby teeth can grow more sensitive, and the pain can spread to your surrounding jawbone and gums. A partially impacted wisdom tooth can cause pain in your gums (and possibly even infection).
Misalignment and Trouble Chewing
The force created by an impacted wisdom tooth cannot only cause a toothache, but it can also force your teeth out of alignment. This can make it more difficult to bite and chew comfortably. Misalignment of your smile can grow worse the longer the impacted wisdom tooth is left in place. Extracting it will be necessary before realigning and correcting your bite.
Chronic Earaches and Headaches
The discomfort of a toothache can spread to include chronic headaches, earaches, and migraines. Your dominant cranial nerve group, known as the trigeminal nerves, are very close to your jaw. Pain from an impacted wisdom tooth pain can aggravate the nerves all along your head and neck.
Do You Have Signs of an Impacted Wisdom Tooth?
If you are experiencing any type of pain or discomfort from your wisdom teeth, they may need to be removed. To schedule a consultation by calling Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry of Kansas City, MO, today at 816-427-4018.