Ten million wisdom teeth are removed from five million people in the US every year. But how do you know when to remove a wisdom tooth?
Wisdom teeth are the last teeth to come into your mouth. However, an impacted wisdom tooth is when the tooth does not correctly grow through or is stuck in the jaw. It can also come through at an angle.
There are many reasons for an impacted tooth. Often it is because you do not have enough mouth space, or another tooth is blocking the wisdom tooth. You might put up with an impacted wisdom tooth initially, but it can start to cause problems.
Read on to learn when to remove a wisdom tooth.
Tooth Infection and Pain
Pain is usually one of the first signs you have an impacted wisdom tooth. It is generally in the back of your mouth space, as wisdom teeth are molars.
Around 80% of Americans delay dental care issues due to affordability. Unfortunately, if you delay treatment for an impacted wisdom tooth, it can lead to tooth infection. Signs of infection include worsening pain, pus, and swelling.
If an infection is left for a while, you can also develop a fever, sore lymph nodes, bad breath, and other problems. If the impacted wisdom tooth worsens, there is a risk of gum disease in the area.
Tooth Decay
An impacted wisdom tooth can also start to damage other teeth around it. For example, it can cause overcrowding in the mouth space, which may require orthodontic treatment to fix. The pressure it applies to surrounding teeth can also trigger infections and damage the molars.
An impacted tooth can also be harder to clean, which means food and bacteria get trapped. Over time plaque builds up, and the tooth can start to decay. If you notice damage to teeth or are struggling to clean a painful impacted tooth, it is time to take action.
Take time to learn how to prepare for wisdom teeth removal to put your mind at ease. The sooner you go, the sooner you can protect your other teeth from further damage and decay.
Tooth Tumors and Cysts
Cysts and tumors can grow around an impacted tooth. They are relatively rare and benign, but they can move teeth and cause other issues.
If you notice symptoms such as difficulty swallowing, trouble moving your jaw or tongue, bad breath, or a lump in your cheek, it is time to see the dentist. They will take x-rays and remove an impacted tooth if that is the cause.
Remove an Impacted Wisdom Tooth
Now you know when it is time to remove an impacted wisdom tooth. It can feel scary to experience pain, tooth infection, tooth tumors, or a change to your mouth space. However, wisdom tooth removal will solve these issues, so do not hesitate to call your dentist if you have concerns,
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