Wisdom teeth are the last set of molars that usually come out when you’re a little wiser and older, typically around the ages between 15 and 25. Sometimes they may even erupt in people older than 30. 

Despite their impressive name, wisdom teeth don’t give you a boost in insight. What they can do is give you problems. These molars are more likely to cause issues in your mouth than any other set of teeth. 

Some people go through their lives without worrying about them, especially if they grow in completely and line up neatly with the other teeth. In many cases, however, they develop in unusual angles, such as diagonally or horizontally. They can impact the alignment of your jaws and neighbouring sets of teeth. This can cause several issues such as pain, discomfort, infections, and misaligned pearly whites—so it’s important to extract them.

Regular checkups with your dentist can help you assess how your wisdom teeth grow and if they will cause any problems throughout their development. However, there are some glaring signs that you need to have your extra set of molars removed. These include:

Sign #1: Pain and Inflammation in the Gums

One of the first signs that prompt people to visit their dentist is the pain associated with growing wisdom teeth. You may feel sensitivity, discomfort, and a throbbing sensation as the molars develop. Inflammation is also fairly common, and you might notice that your gums are red, swollen, and sore. These symptoms make it hard to eat or brush your teeth, so it’s best to contact your dentist if you begin experiencing them.

Sign #2: Bad Breath and Unusual Tastes

Because the pain makes it harder to brush the gums surrounding your erupting wisdom teeth, the gums may be home to trapped food and plaque. This puts you at risk of developing a bacterial infection. The bacteria can cause cavities and tooth decay, and they can also release foul-smelling and unusual-tasting compounds that can affect you and your friends.

Sign #3: Crowded Teeth

Over the course of human development, our jaws have become smaller than they once were. Because of this change, they typically can no longer accommodate a third set of molars. As your wisdom teeth develop, they may crowd against your other teeth, causing damage and misalignment.

Sign #4: Cysts in Your Mouth

In many cases, wisdom teeth can’t erupt completely out of your gums. When they become impacted within your jaw, they could lead to cysts or fluid-filled sacs that can damage neighbouring teeth. 

Contact Your Dentist Before Your Wisdom Teeth Cause Problems

Wisdom teeth can cause various problems in your mouth, such as pain, crowded teeth, bad breath, and even infections. Because of these potential issues, some dentists recommend extracting them before they even get a chance to affect your mouth. Some people also opt to have them removed while they’re young to recover more quickly and prevent the molars from causing problems. However, they can bring forth issues at any given age, so it’s never too late to contact your dental care specialist.

If you need affordable dentists in South Edmonton, Edmonton Smiles has you covered. We offer a range of dental services such as emergency dental, tooth extraction, cosmetic dentistry, and general dentistry. Bring out the best in your smile—book an appointment today!

Posted in Dental News & Advice