Wisdom teeth are believed to be ‘evolutionary relics’ that helped our distant ancestors eat rougher foods like reed plants and raw flesh. With softer diets today, we no longer need these wisdom teeth, nor can our more refined jawlines accommodate them. Nevertheless, they still develop and usually begin to erupt in our late teens or twenties. Ideally, our mouths can hold up to 28 teeth, but including wisdom teeth, we have about 32 teeth vying for space. At our dental clinic, serving West Edmonton, Spruce Grove, and Acheson, we frequently see patients dealing with the complications this overcrowding can cause. Here’s a list of some dental issue indicating wisdom tooth extraction.
Severe Pain: When to Visit Edmonton’s Best Dentist for Assessment
Intense pain is the most common symptom of problematic wisdom teeth. When a tooth is impacted, it’s most often because it has nowhere to go: it’s either blocked by an adjacent tooth or there is insufficient space. Pain can also result from damage to adjacent soft tissue or infection as these teeth try to erupt.
It is important to recognize that wisdom tooth pain can be intermittent. Periods of acute pain associated with eruption can be followed by relative calm. It is best to have this investigated at a trusted dental clinic in West Edmonton as the tooth might have turned towards the adjacent molar with the threat of causing root resorption. This process, once started, cannot be arrested by dental intervention, and there is a risk of losing the otherwise healthy adjacent molar.
Swollen Gums and Infections
You can have swollen gums due to the impacted tooth hitting the adjacent fully grown teeth. This can also lead to gum infection which further affects the adjacent tooth causing more swelling and bleeding. Any oral infections should be treated as they can have systemic implications.
Persistent Bad Breath (Halitosis)
Infection caused by plaque build-up and rotting food debris trapped when wisdom teeth partially erupt can cause bad breath. This trapped area is difficult to clean with normal brushing and flossing. Bad breath, or halitosis, is not only
offensive to others but can leave a nasty taste in your mouth, a common issue we help patients resolve at our clinic.
Cysts causing Jaw Damage / TMJ Disorder
Cysts can form around the newly erupting tooth. Untreated, they can hollow out the jaw and damage nerves. Pain triggered while opening the mouth results when inflamed tissues are stretched. Clicking, popping or a “gravelly” sound (crepitus) in the temporomandibular joints (TMJ) is sometimes observed when wisdom teeth begin to erupt.
The Importance of Timing for Extraction
As with many things, timing is everything when it pertains to wisdom tooth extraction. A developing wisdom tooth is much like a clenched fist. As it grows, the roots elongate and spread like the fingers of a fully opened hand. From a clinical perspective, it is easier and therefore less traumatic for a patient to have extractions performed prior to full development of wisdom teeth. Bone density is also a consideration when discussing timing. Firstly, male jaw bones tend to be denser than female jaw bones. Secondly, as teens age, the jaw bone becomes more dense to a given point of maturation that varies individually.
It is usually less of an issue to be proactive in removing wisdom teeth before development, bone density and issues of eruption complicate matters. Any assessment of wisdom teeth condition should be made by a qualified dentist who will take a panorex x-ray to evaluate what is happening below the gum as well as above. You can book a visit to a dental clinic near you and know more about wisdom tooth extraction.
Your Next Step: A Consultation at Our West Edmonton Trusted Dental Clinic
Any assessment of your wisdom teeth should be made by a qualified dentist who will take a panorex x-ray to evaluate what is happening below the gum as well as above. Don’t wait for the pain to become unbearable. If you’re in West Edmonton, Spruce Grove, or Acheson and experiencing any of these symptoms, or if you simply want a proactive check-up for yourself or your teen, we are here to help. We are committed to providing exceptional care right here in your local area.
If you’re in need of a tooth extraction, we’re here to help make the process as comfortable and stress-free as possible. For personalized assistance, feel free to contact us at info@designdentistry.ca or 780-484-8138.
