Signs and Symptoms of Impacted Wisdom Teeth
Your wisdom teeth are the last set of molars to arrive, usually showing up in your late teens or early twenties. Sometimes they come in without any trouble. Other times there isn’t enough room in your jaw, so they get stuck below the gumline or push against the teeth beside them. These are called impacted wisdom teeth, and they can cause problems that are easy to miss at first. Catching the warning signs early gives your dentist in Calgary the best chance to treat the issue before it gets worse. Here are the symptoms to watch for.
Pain and Pressure
Pain is the most common sign that a wisdom tooth is impacted. It often starts as a dull ache or a feeling of pressure at the very back of your mouth, near the jaw. The discomfort can come and go, then return stronger as the tooth keeps trying to push through. You might notice it most when you chew or bite down. If that back-of-the-mouth ache keeps returning, it’s worth having it checked rather than waiting it out.
Gum Inflammation and Swelling
When a wisdom tooth only partly breaks through, it can leave a flap of gum tissue that traps food and bacteria. The result is red, swollen and tender gums around the tooth, which can turn into an infection if it’s left alone. You may see swelling at the back of your jaw or feel a sore, puffy patch that bleeds when you brush. Swelling that spreads or comes with a fever needs prompt emergency dental care, since infections can move quickly.
Bad Breath and an Unpleasant Taste
That trapped food and bacteria around an impacted tooth do more than irritate your gums. It can also lead to ongoing bad breath and a sour or unpleasant taste in your mouth that doesn’t clear up with brushing or mouthwash. If your breath has changed and you can’t pinpoint why, a hidden wisdom tooth could be the reason.
Jaw Stiffness and Trouble Opening Your Mouth
An impacted wisdom tooth can make the muscles and joint around your jaw stiff and sore. You might find it harder to open your mouth fully, or notice tenderness when you talk, yawn or eat. Some people feel a tightness that makes chewing on one side uncomfortable. This stiffness is your jaw reacting to the pressure and inflammation building up at the back.
Headaches
The pressure from a tooth that has no room to grow doesn’t always stay in your mouth. It can radiate outward and trigger headaches, earaches or a general ache across the side of your face. Because these aches can feel like everyday tension headaches, they’re easy to blame on something else. If headaches keep pairing up with jaw or tooth discomfort, the two may well be connected.
Visible Signs to Watch For
Sometimes you can actually see the trouble. Look for a wisdom tooth coming in crooked or sideways, a tooth that has only partly appeared, or redness and swelling at the back of your gums. Crowding or shifting of the teeth in front can be another clue that there isn’t enough space. A quick look in the mirror, paired with how your mouth feels, can tell you a lot.
When to See a Dentist in Calgary
Not every wisdom tooth needs to come out, but the signs above are your cue to get checked. During a routine exam, the team at Forest Lawn Dental Centre can take an X-ray, see exactly how your wisdom teeth are positioned and recommend whether wisdom tooth extraction is the right step. Acting early helps you avoid bigger problems like infection, crowding and damage to nearby teeth. Regular checkups at a trusted Calgary dental office make these issues much easier to catch before they start to hurt.
If you’re dealing with any of these symptoms, don’t put it off. Book your wisdom teeth consultation at Forest Lawn Dental Centre and take the first step toward feeling better. We welcome patients across Applewood Park, Marlborough, Marlborough Park, Penbrook, Vista Heights, Temple, Dover Glen, Belvedere, Sunridge, Rundle, Pineridge, Monterey Park, Abby Dale, Lynwood, Valleyfield, Millican, Foothills and Chestermere. Call Forest Lawn Dental Centre today to book your appointment today.