5 Warning Signs Of Impacted Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth are the last teeth to erupt in the mouth and can appear in the very back four corners of the mouth, usually in a person’s late teens or early twenties.

If there is enough space in the back of the mouth, wisdom teeth may erupt painlessly and function as a third set of molars. If, however, they only partially emerge or become impacted (stuck in the jaw), they can cause pain and other complications.

How To Recognize Impacted Wisdom Teeth?

1. Throbbing Pain In The Back Of The Jaw

Throbbing pain is one of the most common symptoms of impacted wisdom teeth. If you notice severe pain in the very back of your mouth your dentist should check for wisdom teeth. Impacted teeth can also create a trap for plaque and bacteria and can damage the adjacent molars. 

2. Swollen, Tender, Or Bleeding Gums

When wisdom teeth start to erupt, they may cause tenderness, swelling, and inflammation of the surrounding gum tissue. Additionally, as the wisdom teeth are the further back teeth in the mouth, they are often the toughest to clean. Plaque and bacteria sitting on the gum may cause irritation and bleeding gums.

3. Swollen Jaw And Surrounding Area

Impacted wisdom teeth can cause swelling in the jaw and surrounding tissue. At first, the swelling may be only slight but it can develop very quickly and cause a lot of pain. Many patients feel pain and have difficulty opening their mouths or speaking normally. If you’re experiencing swelling in your mouth or in the surrounding jaw bone, it is imperative that you contact your Calgary dentist immediately to have it checked.

4. Swollen Glands In The Neck And Shoulders

Impacted wisdom teeth can cause swelling in the jaw as well as the surrounding glands and lymph nodes. If the wisdom teeth become infected, swollen glands are often present. Removing an infected wisdom tooth will often relieve the pain and swelling of the glands.

5. Ear Pain and Headaches?

The presence of impacted wisdom teeth can cause pain in the temporomandibular (jaw)joint. This joint connects the jaw with the skull. This pain is usually noticed in the back of the mouth referred pain can also be experienced in the jaw joint, ears and even create headaches.

Contact Us

If you notice one or more of the symptoms described, it is possible that you may have an impacted wisdom tooth. Contact your Calgary dentist for a check-up. An early diagnosis can save you a lot of pain and discomfort. Reach us by phone at 403-245-9099 or by using our online contact form below.