A Message from the Woodbine Danforth Dental Care Team
Most people understand how irritating wisdom teeth can be. Pain in the back of your mouth could be because of an infection from your wisdom teeth. If bad wisdom teeth are not taken out, they can cause bigger issues and be more painful.
At Woodbine and Danforth Dental Care, we want to teach you about the problems that can happen with wisdom teeth and help you solve these problems. Dr. Samira Hossain is one of the most loved dentists in the Danforth area. She provides great care and service to all her patients. Let’s discuss the problems that pain from wisdom teeth causes, and see if removal is necessary.
What Are Wisdom Teeth?
Wisdom teeth are the final set of molars located at the very back of the mouth. They typically come in during the late teens or early twenties. Some people may not have enough room in their mouths to accommodate these teeth, causing them to become impacted. When wisdom teeth are impacted, they can cause pain, swelling, and even infection.
Wisdom Tooth Pain Symptoms
If your wisdom teeth are causing problems, you might experience some or all of these symptoms:
- Chronic Back of the Mouth Pain
Pain at the back of the mouth is one of the most typical indicators of wisdom tooth issues. Particularly when chewing, this can feel like a sharp pain or a persistent ache.
- Jaw Pain or Stiffness
Wisdom tooth problems can make it difficult to open your mouth completely or chew food comfortably by causing pain or stiffness in your jaw.
- Pain That Worsens While Chewing or Opening the Mouth
Your wisdom tooth may be impacted or infected if the pain gets worse when you chew or open your mouth.
- Wisdom Teeth Associated with Headaches or Ear Pain
Additionally, wisdom teeth can radiate pain to the head or ears, resulting in recurrent headaches or earaches.
- Pain That Comes and Goes vs Constant Pain
Your wisdom tooth may be the source of a persistent problem if you have sporadic pain that keeps coming back or if the pain never seems to go away.
Signs of Wisdom Tooth Infection
An infected wisdom tooth requires immediate attention. Here are the most common signs of infection:
- Swollen, Red, or Bleeding Gums Near the Wisdom Tooth
If the gums around your wisdom tooth are swollen, red, or bleeding, it may indicate an infection.
- Bad Breath or Unpleasant Taste
An infection in the wisdom tooth can lead to a persistent bad taste in your mouth or bad breath that won’t go away.
- Pus Around the Tooth or Gum Area
One of the clearest signs of infection is the presence of pus around the wisdom tooth. This could indicate an abscess or infected tissue.
- Fever or Feeling Unwell
A fever, along with general feelings of being unwell, often accompanies an infected wisdom tooth. This is a sign that the infection may be spreading.
- Difficulty Opening the Mouth (Trismus)
If you find it difficult to open your mouth fully, this may be caused by swelling and infection around the wisdom tooth.
Other Signs You May Need a Wisdom Tooth Extraction
In addition to pain and infection, there are other signs that you might need a wisdom tooth extraction:
- Swelling in the Cheeks or Jaw
A swollen jaw or cheek may indicate that your wisdom teeth are putting pressure on the surrounding teeth or tissues. - Crowding or Shifting of Nearby Teeth
Impacted wisdom teeth can crowd or shift your other teeth, leading to misalignment. - Damage to Adjacent Teeth
Wisdom teeth that push against nearby teeth can cause damage, including cavities or gum damage. - Cysts or Fluid-Filled Sacs Around the Tooth
Wisdom teeth can sometimes develop cysts, which may lead to further complications such as bone loss or tooth damage. - Repeated Gum Infections
If you frequently experience gum infections around the wisdom tooth area, extraction may be necessary to prevent recurring issues.
What Happens If Wisdom Teeth Are Not Removed?
If you leave problematic wisdom teeth untreated, it could lead to:
- Recurring Infections: Ongoing infections in the mouth can become severe and affect your overall health.
- Tooth Decay: Wisdom teeth that are hard to reach with a toothbrush can become a breeding ground for bacteria and plaque, leading to cavities.
- Gum Disease and Bone Loss: Impacted teeth can cause gum disease and damage to the surrounding bone.
- Damage to Adjacent Teeth: Wisdom teeth can put pressure on nearby teeth, causing misalignment or even damage to those teeth.
When to See a Dentist for Wisdom Tooth Pain
If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above, it’s important to seek professional dental care. Dr. Samira Hossain and her team at Woodbine and Danforth Dental Care will assess your symptoms and determine whether wisdom tooth extraction is necessary.
What to Expect During a Wisdom Tooth Extraction
While taking out your teeth, your dentist might give you local anesthesia, which numbs the area, or they might put you under with sedation so you are more comfortable. Usually, it takes around 30 to 60 min but it may depend on how complicated the extraction is. After finishing the extraction, you will need to give yourself a few days to rest and heal. Furthermore, your dentist will tell you how to take care of your mouth and how to manage the pain during your recovery.
How to Prevent Wisdom Tooth Complications
- Regular Dental Check-ups: Visit your dentist regularly to monitor the condition of your wisdom teeth.
- Maintain Good Oral Hygiene: Brushing and flossing can help prevent infection, especially around partially erupted wisdom teeth.
- Early Detection: X-rays can help detect problems with wisdom teeth before they become painful or cause other issues.
Conclusion
Don’t wait for the pain to get worse if you have any of the symptoms listed. Your long-term oral health can be ensured, and more serious complications can be avoided with early intervention. At Woodbine and Danforth Dental Care, Dr. Samira Hossain is prepared to give your wisdom teeth the best care possible.
Make an appointment for your consultation right now to go over your options and receive the relief you require. Make an online reservation or get in touch with us to start down the path to a pain-free smile!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1) Does everyone need their wisdom teeth removed?
Not everyone needs to have their wisdom teeth removed. If your wisdom teeth are healthy, properly aligned, and don’t cause pain, your dentist may recommend monitoring them.
2) Is wisdom tooth extraction painful?
The procedure itself is not painful because the area will be numbed. Afterward, there may be some discomfort, but it can typically be managed with prescribed painkillers.
3) How long does recovery take after a wisdom tooth extraction?
Most people recover from a wisdom tooth extraction in about 3-5 days. Full recovery, however, may take up to two weeks, depending on the complexity of the extraction.