Just mentioning wisdom teeth problems is enough to make most people cringe. We associate wisdom teeth with dental pain and oral surgery. Most of the pain is the result of complications of wisdom tooth extraction, such as dry socket or complications caused by waiting too long to have wisdom teeth removed. Untreated wisdom teeth problems can lead to serious problems with your overall oral health.
Symptoms of Wisdom Teeth Problems
Symptoms of impacted wisdom teeth can include:
- Swollen jaw
- Other facial swelling
- Mouth pain
- Pain when biting down
- Swollen gums
- Crowded teeth
Impacted wisdom teeth often become infected. Symptoms of an infected wisdom tooth include:
- Discharge from the gums
- Swollen gums
- Pressure and pain around the wisdom tooth
- Bitter taste in the mouth
- Bad breath
Long-term Symptoms
Over time, untreated impacted wisdom teeth can cause problems throughout your mouth including:
- Teeth that have shifted out of alignment, even after extensive orthodontics earlier in life
- Bite problems due to shifted teeth
- Periodontitis
- Cavities
- Bone loss
- Tooth loss
- Cysts and tumors
It is natural to want to avoid oral surgery and the removal of impacted wisdom teeth. However, the earlier you have them removed the easier the surgery. Wisdom teeth do more damage to your oral health the longer they are left untreated, and they become more difficult to remove. As you age, the bone grows denser around the wisdom tooth and the root of the wisdom tooth continues to develop.
If you are experiencing the symptoms of wisdom teeth problems and live in the Northern Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Maryland area, please contact NOVA SurgiCare, PC today to schedule your personal consultation with oral and maxillofacial surgeon, Dr. Daria Hamrah.