These days, many people find that getting their wisdom teeth removed is the best course of action for their smile. Our wisdom teeth are often so far back in our mouths that they’re impossible to keep clean with regular brushing, often resulting in cavities and decay. As humans have evolved, wisdom teeth aren’t needed as much anymore. Impacted wisdom teeth cause many teens and young adults to seek removal of their wisdom teeth.However, what happens when your wisdom teeth are painful or infected? Don’t ignore that wisdom tooth—the consequences could affect your whole smile!
Impacted Wisdom Teeth
Impacted wisdom teeth happen when there’s not enough space in your mouth for your wisdom teeth to come through your jaw and take their place with your other teeth. When this happens, you can suffer from migraines, painful inflammation or cysts around your gums, and even crooked teeth! When there’s not enough space for the teeth to come through, they begin pushing against your other teeth. Ignoring your wisdom teeth’s arrival in your mouth could put any orthodontic work you had done at risk or even lead to gum infections and cavities.
Cavities and Gum Problems
If you allow your wisdom teeth to come in, you could experience cavities. Wisdom teeth are often difficult to brush and properly clean due to their location in the mouth. This can create infections and swollen gums from the buildup of plaque and bad bacteria. As you get older, wisdom teeth become more permanent and solid in your mouth, making them even more difficult to remove as time goes on. Ignoring any swollen, red, or bleeding gums as a result of your wisdom teeth could put your whole mouth at risk for gingivitis or periodontal disease.
Sinus Health Problems and Headaches
Wisdom teeth are known for being painful as they grow in, but what many patients don’t know is that wisdom teeth can indirectly lead to migraines and sinus problems. As the wisdom teeth come in, the way you chew and bite may change, which can lead to pressure on unexpected places in your jaw. Tense muscles from the pain of wisdom teeth could lead to headaches, which may be occasional or persisting.
Some people who leave their wisdom teeth in or ignore the pain they cause also experience sinus problems. Your upper wisdom teeth come in right under your sinuses, so they can affect the pressure your sinuses experience and lead to headaches or infections.
Some people never have problems with their wisdom teeth, have plenty of space for them in their mouths, and are able to keep them clean. However, this isn’t true for the majority of people. Ignoring the pain or infection that your wisdom teeth cause can have a big impact on the rest of your smile. Visit your dentist. He or she can take x-rays and determine if your wisdom teeth are fine or if they need to be removed to prevent future dental problems for your smile!
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