Are you experiencing pain and discomfort in your teeth and gums? If the answer is yes and you’re in your late teens or early twenties, there’s a good chance the problem is your wisdom teeth.
What Are Wisdom Teeth?
Wisdom teeth are an additional set of molars that grow at the back of your mouth. They usually develop many years after your adult teeth form – most people develop their wisdom teeth between the ages of 17 and 25, which is why they are called “wisdom” teeth.
How Do I Know If I Need My Wisdom Teeth Removed?
Because wisdom teeth come in later in life when the rest of your mouth is already developed, they can create many problems and cause quite a bit of pain and discomfort. If this is the case, your family dentist in North York will likely suggest having them removed.
When wisdom teeth don’t grow properly, you may experience pain or swelling in the gums, especially towards the back of your mouth (where the wisdom teeth are located). This pain and swelling can cause difficulty speaking, chewing, or opening your mouth wide.
Wisdom teeth are one of those dental problems that can be easily fixed if caught early, but if left to worsen they can cause long-lasting problems that require invasive, expensive treatments.
What Are The Problems Commonly Caused By Wisdom Teeth?
Wisdom teeth can cause several problems if they don’t have enough space to grow properly. Some of the most common problems caused by wisdom teeth include:
- Impacted wisdom teeth – this is when the wisdom teeth grow in at an angle that puts pressure on the surrounding teeth
- Increased risk of tooth decay and gum disease – because wisdom teeth are located at the very back of your mouth, they can be difficult to clean properly
- Crowding or shifting of your other teeth – this happens when the wisdom teeth push against the other teeth in your mouth trying to make space for themselves to break through the gumline
Wisdom teeth extraction is a common procedure performed regularly by Dr. Maralani at Lilac Family Dentistry. If you are experiencing any pain or discomfort in your mouth and are concerned your wisdom teeth could be the problem, be sure to make an appointment right away. Our team will examine your mouth, perform some X-rays, look at whether your wisdom teeth are coming through, and recommend the best treatment plan moving forward.