Wisdom teeth are the third molars, and they often begin to develop around the time a person reaches adulthood. While some people have more than enough room for these third molars to come in properly, others may not have enough room for them. This causes the wisdom teeth to become impacted, or essentially stuck underneath the gums. When this happens, your wisdom teeth can become very painful, sore, irritated and inflamed.

There are several signs to look for that could signal that your wisdom teeth need to be removed. It is always best to visit the dentist to have x-rays and an exam done in order to determine if your wisdom teeth are impacted and if so, how to go about removing them. Some of the signs to look for when it comes to impacted wisdom teeth and when they need to come out include,

• Pain and Tenderness –
You might have generalized whole-mouth pain and tenderness, which can be a sign that your wisdom teeth are impacted and pushing against surrounding teeth. In severe cases, this can cause damage to the surrounding teeth, requiring more aggressive treatment.

• Swelling and Infections –
If your wisdom teeth are impacted, they could become infected over time. This can cause swelling around the jaw and cheek area as well as fatigue and fever. It is important to seek care immediately if you have an infection of your wisdom teeth, as prompt treatment is necessary in preventing further damage.

• Overcrowding of Other Teeth –
Because the wisdom teeth are pushing against the surrounding teeth, you might have overcrowding. This can cause your teeth to look crooked, crowded or misaligned. It is important to have these wisdom teeth removed to prevent further orthodontic problems.

• Headaches and Earaches –
In some cases, impacted wisdom teeth can cause both headaches and earaches. There may be no other reasons or causes for these issues, so it might be assumed that your impacted wisdom teeth are to blame.

If you suspect that you have impacted wisdom teeth, it is important that you have an exam and special x-rays taken as soon as possible. The sooner that you remove wisdom teeth, the fewer problems you’ll experience as a result. Those living in Mesa, Arizona can benefit from prompt, knowledgeable treatment that is right for their own dental needs.