What You Have Always Wanted To Learn About Wisdom Teeth - But Were Too Afraid To Find Out

If you have some unexplained pressure in the back of your mouth you may have asked “how do I know if my wisdom teeth are coming in?” If you are between the ages of 16 and 30 this is a reasonable question. Almost everyone has heard stories about the agony associated with wisdom teeth, so the topic may make you a little fearful. The answer is to seek dental care.

Wisdom Teeth are the third molars and they normally appear after adolescence. Most people have 4 wisdom teeth, but some have less and some have none at all. The number you have is based on genetics, so you may want to ask your parents how many they have and what were their symptoms. There are even rare cases of having more than 4 wisdom teeth.

If you search online under “how can I tell if my wisdom teeth are coming in” you will get thousands of pages with even more symptoms. As always your best bet is to call up your dentist and find out what symptoms you should be looking for. If you are experiencing any type of pressure or pain in the back of your mouth and jaw, you should make calling your dentist a priority. Also, if your teeth seem to be inexplicably moving, you should immediately make that call.

To find out if you are getting your wisdom teeth, your dentist will do an oral examination and likely x-rays. Depending on what he sees, a course of action will be mapped out. Most often, if the wisdom teeth are not affecting other teeth, they will be left in. Most times, though, wisdom teeth come in at an angle causing other teeth to move. When this happens, they must be extracted.

When there is a wisdom tooth infection the tooth must also be extracted. A wisdom tooth causes infection when it is partially impacted. Impacted teeth are teeth that do not break the surface. If a wisdom tooth only partially breaks the skin, the remaining skin flap can collect bacteria. The resulting infection can be quite serious if left untreated. While there are alternative treatments that involve removing the skin, tooth extraction is most commonly preferred.

Seeking the care of a dental professional is the only recommended course of action regarding impacted wisdom teeth symptoms. They can advise you on your treatment alternatives. If they cannot remove the teeth themselves, they can direct you to an oral surgeon they trust. While you may have a little post-op pain, it will be worth it when the rest of your teeth stay straight and you are free of wisdom tooth pressure.