Most of us have been there. You’re sitting in your dentist’s chair when he suggests having an x-ray done to see if your wisdom teeth are the source of your pain.

Typically, wisdom teeth usually erupt between the ages of 17 and 25 years old. While some patients are lucky enough to have their wisdom teeth align up perfectly behind their second molars, others are not as fortunate.

When your wisdom teeth make their grand debut, symptoms can range from mildly irritating to debilitating. If impacted, slight discomfort can quickly become almost unbearable. Since there isn’t enough room for them to come through the gum, what does this mean? It means that your wisdom teeth are lodged in your jawbone and are unable to expose themselves.

If you’ve developed pain in your jaw or gums but can’t pinpoint the cause, your wisdom teeth may be to blame.

Below are a few indicators that you may have impacted wisdom teeth:

• Jaw Pain: Pain in the jaw is one of the most common indicators of impacted wisdom teeth. Typically, the pain is centered around the gums.
• Changes in the Mouth: You may also notice changes in your mouth with impacted wisdom teeth. Bleeding gums, jaw swelling and redness of your gums are key indicators of impacted wisdom teeth.
• Chewing Problems: If you have mouth pain when eating, you may have impacted wisdom teeth.
• Headaches: If you suddenly start having headaches, in addition, the symptoms mentioned above, you could have impacted wisdom teeth

If you think your wisdom teeth are coming, scheduling an appointment for a comprehensive examination is the best route to go. If your wisdom teeth are impacted, removal will alleviate any symptoms you may be experiencing. At Mesa Dental, our experienced dental team will review the details of wisdom teeth removal and help you determine the best course of action for your situation.