Warning Signs of Impacted Wisdom Teeth

Author: Dr. Rima Solanki, DMD

Despite their friendly-sounding name, impacted wisdom teeth can cause pain and discomfort when you least expect it. For this reason, most dentists recommend removing wisdom teeth before they cause discomfort, damage to adjacent teeth, infection or abscess to the surrounding area, tooth decay, or even cysts to form. A thorough understanding of these signs and symptoms of impacted wisdom teeth can help a patient schedule a dental consultation prior to dental complications arising.

Early detection and monitoring is key. One way to do this is by using a panoramic x-ray. Most dentists advise that patients consider wisdom teeth removal early before they begin to cause debilitating pain. While there are not always noticeable signs of impacted wisdom teeth, there are several warning symptoms that will worsen with time without proper dental intervention. If you experience any of the following signs and symptoms, then it is time to schedule an appointment to remedy the problem at hand.

Common Symptoms of Impacted Wisdom Teeth:
1. Throbbing pain in the back of the mouth
2. Swelling around the jaw
3. Swollen, tender, red or bleeding gums
4. Headaches
5. Bad taste in the mouth or bad breath
6. Swollen glands in the shoulder or neck

Impacted wisdom teeth discomfort won’t just go away on its own. If you experience any of the warning signs above or fear that you may have impacted wisdom teeth, schedule an appointment with Spring Lake Dental Group right away. We are committed to putting our wisdom to good use to alleviate your pain and return your life back to normal health.