For many of us, the emergence of wisdom teeth is an inevitable rite of passage, often accompanied by a mix of discomfort, curiosity, and sometimes, outright pain. These final set of molars typically make their appearance in the late teens or early twenties, and while some individuals experience no issues whatsoever, for others, wisdom teeth can become a real source of trouble.
At Sidcup Dental Spa, we frequently see patients concerned about their wisdom teeth, and understanding when removal might be necessary is a common query. It’s important to remember that not all wisdom teeth need to be extracted. If they erupt fully and are properly aligned, and you can clean them effectively, they can remain in your mouth without causing problems. However, there are several key indicators that suggest your wisdom teeth might be causing issues and could require removal.
Common Signs and Symptoms That Suggest Removal
The most common reason for wisdom teeth removal is a lack of space in your jaw. Our modern diets and lifestyles often mean our jaws are smaller than our ancestors’, leaving insufficient room for these latecomers. When this happens, wisdom teeth can become impacted, meaning they are trapped beneath the gum line or bone, or they emerge at an awkward angle.
Here are the tell-tale signs that your wisdom teeth might need attention:
Pain and Tenderness: This is often the most obvious symptom. You might experience persistent pain, tenderness, or pressure in the back of your jaw, extending to your ear or temple. This pain can range from a dull ache to sharp, throbbing discomfort, especially when chewing.
Swelling and Inflammation: When a wisdom tooth is trying to erupt but is partially covered by gum tissue, it can create a flap (operculum) where food particles and bacteria get trapped. This can lead to an infection called pericoronitis, causing swelling, redness, and inflammation of the gum tissue around the tooth. This can make opening your mouth painful and can be a recurring issue.
Difficulty Chewing or Biting: If your wisdom teeth are erupting at an angle or pushing against existing molars, it can interfere with your bite and make chewing uncomfortable or even painful.
Bad Breath (Halitosis) and Unpleasant Taste: Trapped food and bacteria around partially erupted or impacted wisdom teeth can lead to infections, which often manifest as persistent bad breath or a foul taste in your mouth, even after brushing.
Damage to Adjacent Teeth: An impacted wisdom tooth can exert pressure on the molar next to it, potentially causing damage. This pressure can lead to root resorption (where the roots of the adjacent tooth begin to dissolve), gum disease, or even cavities in the healthy tooth, as it becomes harder to clean the area.
Cysts or Tumours:While less common, impacted wisdom teeth can sometimes lead to the formation of cysts (fluid-filled sacs) or, very rarely, benign tumours around the tooth. These can damage surrounding bone and tissues.
Shifting of Teeth/Orthodontic Concerns: Although less likely to cause significant crowding in the front of your mouth, erupting wisdom teeth can put pressure on your existing teeth, potentially undoing previous orthodontic work or causing minor shifting.
Wisdom Teeth Assessment and Correction in Sidcup
The experienced team at Sidcup Dental Spa can assess the condition of your wisdom teeth and overall oral health and provide personalised advice on whether or not they need to be extracted. Schedule a consultation today and see what we can do for you.