Wisdom teeth don’t always need to come out. But in some people, they can cause lots of discomfort, pain, and a higher risk of dental infections and other complications. So how do you know if you need wisdom tooth extractions in Modesto? Read this blog from Downey Park Family Dentistry, and we’ll discuss the top 5 signs that your wisdom teeth may need removal.
Pain in the back of your mouth could indicate tooth infections or inflammation of the gums. If your wisdom teeth don’t erupt properly, there are often “flaps” of tissue that may trap food and bacteria, leading to a higher risk of infections. These can also cause discomfort, so if you’re feeling pain in the back of your mouth after your wisdom teeth start to emerge, you may need to have them extracted. These are common signs of wisdom teeth coming in.
It can be hard to clean the back of your mouth properly once your wisdom teeth grow in. This may lead to a higher risk of gingivitis, the first stage of gum disease. This is especially true if there are flaps of tissue around your wisdom teeth, as mentioned previously.
If your gums feel tender, painful, and inflamed, and they bleed easily during brushing, this is a sign that you should see a dentist like Dr. Corey Acree for an oral exam. Dr. Acree can examine your gums and wisdom teeth, and determine if wisdom tooth extraction is right for your situation.
If your wisdom teeth grow crooked, they may actually damage the nearby teeth as they emerge. They may also fail to erupt completely. This is known as “impaction.” Impacted wisdom teeth can cause significant pain and discomfort, and they also dramatically raise your risks of gum disease and dental infections. Impacted wisdom teeth always must be extracted to protect your mouth. If you don’t extract an impacted tooth, it could end up causing serious oral health problems later in your life.
In some cases, wisdom teeth can cause jaw stiffness, soreness, and pain, particularly in the rear of the mouth. In severe cases, this may even result in problems opening and closing your mouth properly. If you’re experiencing jaw soreness and you think that it’s because of your wisdom teeth, we recommend scheduling a consultation right away.
Can wisdom teeth cause headaches? In some cases, wisdom teeth eruption can contribute to or cause severe headaches, earaches, and migraines. Your jaw, skull, and other parts of your facial anatomy are closely linked. While wisdom teeth are not the only causes of earaches and headaches, they may be a contributing factor. If you’ve noticed that you get more earaches and headaches after your wisdom teeth have erupted, you may want to consult with Dr. Acree to discuss wisdom tooth extraction.
At Downey Park Family Dentistry, we practice conservative care. This means that Dr. Acree will perform a comprehensive oral exam, and he will only recommend tooth extractions if they're really necessary, like if there are signs of wisdom teeth coming in. Lots of people can keep their wisdom teeth without any oral health issues, so it’s important to make sure that extractions are right for you. So don’t wait. Contact us online or give us a call at (209) 529-0674 to schedule a wisdom tooth extraction consultation in Modesto today.