Wisdom teeth really do know how to make an entrance! Wisdom teeth are the final teeth to erupt within your mouth and occurs usually around the age of 18 but can happen earlier or later typically between the ages of 17-24. There is also the chance they remain dormant for your entire life, and they never erupt fully.
There are also several things that can happen in between these two scenarios, with dental complications and partial eruptions all a possibility. In some scenarios, the situation is so bad that an extraction could be the only solution. You will likely have many questions with regards to why we have wisdom teeth and the potential symptoms, and these will all be answered below. This will help you get through the process and understand why it is happening.
Why do we have wisdom teeth?
The reality is in this modern age there is no real purpose for wisdom teeth in the mouth, and they are effectively a useless extra pair of molars in the mouth. While in most cases they erupt with full room to grow, due to their late arrival in the mouth they can sometimes not have enough space to properly erupt. Additionally, the reduction in breastfeeding in modern society as well as the increase in soft food has meant that jaws are often less developed.
Wisdom teeth symptoms
Key signs to look out for if you suspect that your wisdom teeth are coming in have been outlined below:
- Sore and inflamed gums
- Bleeding gums
- Unable to open mouth fully
- Jaw/gums are swollen
- Taste/odour of mouth is unpleasant
- Pain in the jaws
Alongside the symptoms such as tenderness/discomfort within the back of your mouth when wisdom teeth are erupting, there are some other issues that wisdom teeth can cause. This includes a build-up of pressure if the wisdom tooth becomes trapped under gums, and subsequently potentially headaches. The problem with this is an individual may already frequently have headaches, so they may be unable to distinguish this issue from their normal life.
Another key issue that may be caused by wisdom teeth is a potential infection of the gums due to awkward positioning of the wisdom teeth eruption. This occurs if only part of the tooth emerges, leaving the tissue susceptible to infection as food/bacteria becomes stuck in the area and is not properly removed. In this scenario, it is even possible for pericoronitis to occur if left for a prolonged period of time. To avoid this issue and the other aforementioned issues, it is essential to maintain good oral hygiene and have regular dental visits. This will reduce the chances of major issues within your mouth, and help any problems be detected as early as possible. This will give you the best chance to treat and deal with your potential problems.
If you are due a check-up, or feel you are suffering from the symptoms associated with wisdom teeth eruption, contact us today to request an appointment.
