Most wisdom teeth-related problems occur when someone is between fifteen and twenty-five years, and so few individuals older than thirty years experience these problems. However, a person might need their wisdom tooth/teeth to be extracted at any given age. So what tells you that you may need to have your wisdom tooth/teeth pulled out? Here are common signs:

Teeth are Misaligned

Our jaws are often not big enough to accommodate the third set of molar teeth. Consequently, they bump against other teeth and grow sideways. If your wisdom teeth come in crooked or misaligned, they may cause the other teeth to shift. They may even damage the surrounding teeth.

Tooth Decay, Cavities, and Repeated Tooth Infections

The wisdom teeth’s position substantially affects the cleaning surface where bacteria could reside. Should the bacteria grow within the irritated gum pockets, they will enhance cavity development, resulting in infection along the way.

Bad Taste and Bad Breath

Bad breath can be a result of many things, including stomach ulcers. But do you know bad breath can also be a result of your wisdom tooth/teeth? It is a challenge to clean the delicate gum tissues surrounding impacted or misaligned wisdom teeth, resulting in bacteria plaque and trapped food that can result in infection over a certain period. The resulting bacteria release sulfur compounds that can bring about an unpleasant taste in your mouth, together with a foul breath. Extracting wisdom teeth removes the pockets where the bacteria reside and leaves your whole mouth accessible to your toothbrush again.

Consistent Sinus Problems

Are you aware that dental and oral health issues can affect your sinuses? Dental problems, including wisdom teeth, usually cause sinus-related issues. When your wisdom tooth grows roots in the upper jawbone, pressure can be exerted on your sinuses, which can cause congestion, a feeling of pressure, or headaches. If you start experiencing pain, pressure, or congestion in your sinuses, it can be an indication that presents the need to have your wisdom teeth extracted.

Pain and Stiffness Around the Jaw

Pain and stiffness could also occur in the jaw because wisdom teeth may shift the jawline and teeth. Additionally, if the wisdom teeth erupt improperly, they may alter how your teeth bite together. Having limitations when moving and opening/closing your jaw and mouth can be another sign you should remove your wisdom teeth. You want to address this symptom right away since the improper alignment of the mouth and jaw can result in more severe problems.

Cysts Developing In the Mouth

If you ignore your wisdom teeth for a long time, cysts may develop in your mouth. Cysts refer to fluid-filled sacs that may impact and damage the roots of the surrounding teeth, nerves, or jaw if they are not treated.

Tender Gums or Gum Inflammation

When a wisdom tooth starts emerging, it may cause gum inflammation. It will manifest as slightly swollen, reddish regions along the gumline that feel sore when touched and make it hard to clean appropriately when brushing.

Pain and Sensitivity at the Rear End of the Mouth

The most apparent indication that you should have your wisdom tooth/teeth extracted is if you start feeling them. Whether brushing, eating, or not doing anything whatsoever, if you start experiencing sensitivity, pain, or a mild throbbing sensation, it is time to set up a dental appointment to have your dentist check the wisdom teeth. The pain may be occasional and sporadic or unwavering and persistent.

Headaches or Earaches

Most people think that wisdom teeth-related complications only result in pain in the mouth. However, you may also experience discomfort in different places, which could also indicate that you must remove your wisdom tooth/teeth. Pain in the jaw or mouth usually radiates further, resulting in headaches or earaches.

Bleeding Gums

Should you realize that the gums at the rear end of the mouth bleed whenever you brush, it may be because of your wisdom teeth trying to emerge.

Swelling in the Jawbone

Wisdom teeth trying to emerge may lead to your jaw swelling slightly initially but then significantly over a given period.

Crooked/Overcrowded Teeth

Often, wisdom teeth start growing even though there is not sufficient space in your mouth for them to fit. When your mouth becomes overcrowded, it usually pushes teeth together, making them crooked. There is nothing dental professionals can do to make the teeth all fit appropriately. Instead, all or some of the wisdom teeth will have to be extracted.

Before your wisdom teeth fully grow, a dental expert can tell whether they will overcrowd your other teeth by examining x-rays. This is only one illustration of why it is critical to set up an appointment immediately after realizing that wisdom teeth are emerging. If it reaches a stage where your teeth are crooked, you might need braces.

Pain in Your Cheek or Tongue

If you realize you have been biting your cheek or tongue more than usual, this might be because your mouth is overcrowded. Also, your wisdom tooth emerging at an inappropriate angle might rub against different parts of your mouth, resulting in pain.

Damage to Neighboring Teeth

Another indication that you may have to pull out wisdom teeth is if they start damaging the neighboring teeth. This often occurs because of the wisdom teeth pushing up against the surrounding teeth and leading to decay, infection, or the incapability to brush the neighboring teeth effectively.

Difficulty Eating

As we mentioned earlier, the wisdom teeth emerging can result in food particles becoming stuck at the rear end of the mouth. This could cause discomfort or pain that will make eating harder. Having hardships opening your mouth fully and temperature sensitivity could also make eating difficult, indicating that you should pull out your wisdom teeth.

When Your Dental Professional Recommends It

Even though your signs may be minor, or you might not have experienced them whatsoever, it is critical to heed your dentist's advice. They may spot looming issues that you have not yet felt or discover the initial symptoms of wisdom teeth coming through.

It could be tempting to postpone the surgical procedure or attempt to evade it altogether since the term 'surgery' sounds scary. However, having the surgical procedure conducted can prevent further severe problems and save you a lot of resources in the long run.

Whether you have experienced the wisdom teeth emerging and scheduled a dental appointment for this reason, or it has come up during another appointment, it is time to listen if your dental professional says you must consider extracting them.

People usually worry about the cost of removing wisdom teeth. However, your dental professional can discuss every finance option with you if you are concerned.

Most of the signs above are those of impacted wisdom teeth or those that do not have sufficient room to erupt normally. Some of these signs are also those of completely dental problems. If you have any of these symptoms, ensure to set up a dental appointment. Ignoring any dental concern can be expensive both for your wallet and health.

Once you have extracted wisdom teeth, you have eliminated the risk of severe inflammation and infection that may have substantial repercussions for your dental and overall health. Removing wisdom teeth will also reduce pain and improve your oral hygiene. Even if you do not experience other signs, the difficult placement of your wisdom teeth makes them very challenging to clean, resulting in several health problems. Even better, after you extract wisdom teeth, you will no longer have to worry about developing any of the severe complications they can come with.

It is, however, worth noting that you do not need to extract wisdom teeth. In most cases, dentists and oral surgeons will suggest that you remove wisdom teeth if they sense they will lead to problems presently or later. But there is no advantage to extracting them if they will not cause any issues. You do not have to pull out your wisdom teeth if:

  • You are capable of thoroughly cleaning them during your day-to-day dental hygiene routine.

  • They are wholly grown in (fully erupted)

  • They are in good health

  • They are correctly aligned and will not disrupt your bite

In many instances, wisdom teeth emerge at various angles or lack enough space to grow fully. You dental professional may choose to extract your wisdom teeth if they:

  • Will crowd the neighboring teeth. If your wisdom teeth do not have sufficient space to grow properly, they will crowd and possibly damage the adjacent teeth.

  • Remain entirely hidden below the gums. If the wisdom teeth do not erupt normally, they are most likely to become impacted with your jaw, causing infection. It could also lead to a cyst that may damage your jawbone or the surrounding teeth.

  • Only erupt partially. In this case, the place would be hard to see or properly clean, harboring disease-causing bacteria that will likely cause gum disease or oral infections.

What If You Do Not Extract the Wisdom Teeth After Experiencing the Signs?

If you opt not to remove your wisdom tooth/teeth, you might experience these wisdom teeth signs:

  • Your wisdom teeth may make future orthodontic treatment problematic.

  • If you develop an infection around an impacted wisdom tooth, it may damage the surrounding teeth and bones. A fluid sac could form near the impacted tooth and develop into a cyst over a given period. This may severely damage the neighboring teeth, bones, and jaw.

  • There will be a significant risk of contracting cavities and periodontal diseases at the rear end of your mouth should you opt not to have the wisdom teeth extracted. Visiting a dentist for an oral examination twice a year will help discover and address these issues early.

  • Your wisdom teeth may emerge only partially, leading to a flap of gum tissue to grow over it. This may result in trapped food debris beneath the flap, making the gums swollen, red, and painful— one sign of infection.

  • If there is insufficient room in the mouth for the wisdom teeth to grow in, they may become impacted and trapped beneath your gums.

Making the Right Decision

As far as deciding whether or not extracting your wisdom teeth is concerned, you eventually have just two options:

  • Not to have the wisdom teeth extracted

  • Having the wisdom teeth extracted

Whether you opt to remove or keep your wisdom tooth/teeth, you must carefully weigh the benefits and risks accompanying your decision. Ensure you consult an experienced dental professional for careful assessment. When making your decision, keep these key factors in mind:

  • A healthy wisdom tooth that comes in properly does not cause any problems and does not have to be pulled out. If you did not experience any issues with wisdom teeth by now, you might never have them in the future, particularly if you are already idler than thirty years.

  • Some dental professionals and oral surgeons believe it is ideal to have your wisdom teeth removed before you reach twenty years old, as it would be easier to remove them when the bones and roots are not completely developed and are still soft. Additionally, when young, you usually heal faster.

  • Your dentist may recommend that you have your wisdom teeth extracted if they cause an infection or pain, crowd other teeth, or cannot erupt through the gums.

  • Ask your dental professional to examine your wisdom teeth if you are a young adult, particularly between seventeen and nineteen years old.

Contact an Experienced Northridge Dentist 

Even though wisdom tooth removal is among the most prevalent dental procedures, it is often not a problem for most grownups. When deciding whether or not to extract your wisdom teeth, keep in mind that removing them when signs, like the ones discussed above, appear is crucial to avoid damaging and impacting your jaw and teeth alignment.

If it is time to extract your wisdom teeth, dental professionals at Northridge Advanced Dentistry can help you. We boast expert dental experts who use advanced technology to make the procedure comfortable and quick. Contact us today at 818-701-3010 to set up an appointment and receive your long-waited relief. We serve patients in Northridge, CA, experiencing dental-related problems.