If you have pain at the back of your jaw behind your second molars, your wisdom teeth could be coming in. Most patients do not have enough room in their mouths for the wisdom teeth or third molars to erupt correctly.
While many people can go without having their wisdom teeth extracted, these extra teeth cause painful problems for others, including soreness, headaches, and infections.
This blog lists the seven signs you should look for if you have not yet extracted your wisdom teeth.
Top 7 Signs That Your Wisdom Teeth May Be Coming In
1. Tenderness and Discomfort in the Back of Your Mouth
The tooth's erupting force could cause the back of your mouth to feel tender and painful. The feeling may be familiar if you remember what it was like to get your first and second molars as a child.
2. Headaches
Many people have frequent headaches, so they may miss that this symptom connects to erupting wisdom teeth.
3. Difficulty Opening Your Mouth
Your mouth and jaws may be sore to the point where it is hard to open them fully.
4. Tender or Bleeding Gums
This issue is one of the most common symptoms. As the tooth tries to erupt, it could cause gum irritation.
5. Unpleasant Taste in Your Mouth
This problem can indicate that your wisdom teeth are infected. You may have bad breath as well.
6. Jaw Pain
Your jaw may feel sore when your wisdom teeth are coming in.
7. Swelling At the Back of Your Mouth
Another common symptom is feeling a lump or swelling on your gums at the back of your mouth. This swelling happens when the tooth pushes up on the gums.
Deciding When Wisdom Teeth Should Come Out
If your wisdom teeth are trying to erupt but have no room, this problem is called impaction. Impacted wisdom teeth can cause infection, pain, and orthodontic problems. Teeth can also become impacted if they point at the wrong angle to erupt successfully.
If your wisdom tooth causes an infection, your oral surgeon will recommend extraction as soon as possible to prevent it from spreading to your healthy teeth and gums.
Call Upper West Side Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
Many wisdom teeth can safely be left alone, but oral surgeons recommend an extraction if causing problems like these. Your oral surgeon can tell you whether your teeth are safe to remain or whether they should come out to relieve or prevent a problem.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, call Upper West Side Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery at 212-466-6984. We can evaluate your wisdom teeth with an exam and advanced digital imaging and help you decide whether to extract them.