There isn’t really a set time to get your wisdom teeth removed. Some get them out as teens, some as adults, some don’t have them, and some never actually need them taken out. Wisdom teeth tend to surface between 15 and 25 years of age. At this point, you’ve had your permanent teeth for over a decade in most cases. Wisdom teeth suddenly showing up can cause serious problems. They can make your teeth move, force them crooked, or even impact deep in your jaw for some serious pain. When should you get your wisdom teeth examined and removed? Keep an eye out for these common signs that your wisdom teeth are ready for extraction.
- Redness & Swelling in Gums. It often starts as redness, swelling, and tenderness in your gums. Just like redness and swelling in other areas of your body, it’s an indication of stress and injury.
- Does it feel like there just isn’t enough space in your mouth? Does it feel like your teeth are pushing on each other? Sometimes even your tongue can feel cramped. This could be because your wisdom teeth are putting pressure on your other teeth, trying to come through.
- Pain & Discomfort. This is the one that almost always brings people in – because wisdom teeth HURT. The whole jaw can feel painful, stiff, and uncomfortable as your wisdom teeth try to come through or start to impact into the jaw. It can even feel like nerve pain or headaches as the teeth affect nerves and bone.
- Swelling of the Face. We often see patients coming in with puffy cheeks and bloated jawlines. As the teeth work their way through gums it can create swelling in the tissue surrounding the jaw, including the face. Sometimes it’s blamed on an allergic reaction because pain is not always noted with facial swelling.
- Bad Breath. It’s weird, but when wisdom teeth start working their way up they can cause breakage and flaps in the gums. This causes food and other sources of bacteria to become trapped and grow. The result? Seriously bad breath.
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s a good idea to get your mouth looked at by a dental professional quickly. The pain, discomfort, and other symptoms will only get worse, and removing the wisdom teeth is a fast and relatively painless procedure. Whether you’re old or young, we can safely remove your wisdom teeth or help you find the source of your oral pain so you can enjoy a happy and healthy life.
