Most people have wisdom teeth, but we can go years without thinking about them, because they often stay un-erupted under our gum tissue. However, once wisdom teeth do start trying to break through, you may notice a host of uncomfortable symptoms. Here is some additional information from our Glendale dentists…
Your wisdom teeth are behind your back molars, and most patients have them on both sides of their top and bottom teeth. Your dentist will be able to tell you how many wisdom teeth you have/their positions after consulting a dental X-ray.
When your wisdom teeth start erupting, they may come up vertically, or they might start trying to break through at an angle or horizontally. Generally patients start noticing wisdom teeth related symptoms in their late teenage years or their early to mid twenties.
You might notice that you feel pressure or pinching behind your molars. This pressure can, over time, actually cause your emerged teeth to crowd and become closer together. For this reason, patients who have undergone orthodontic treatment will want to have their wisdom teeth removed before their dental alignment becomes compromised.
You might also find that the gum tissue in the back of your mouth becomes inflamed or irritated. It is incredibly difficult to keep your wisdom teeth/surrounding dental area clean, because this area is so tough to reach. This can cause gum disease and cavities to form in this region of your mouth. If you have been combating persistent bad breath, this may also be due to wisdom-teeth-related infections.
Your dental team should be able to guide you as to when you should have your wisdom teeth removed. However, if you notice any of the signs described above, make sure to proactively bring up the topic with your dentist.
As always you can easily contact our Glendale wisdom teeth dentist if you need more information.