You may suspect that your wisdom teeth are starting to emerge, but recognizing the signs of impacted wisdom teeth can help you take proactive steps in your dental care. Impacted wisdom teeth can be extremely painful, causing considerable discomfort until they are removed. Therefore, being aware of the early warning signs listed below and consulting with Dr. Sindledecker and Dr. Saltz if you experience them can enable you to address the issue before it becomes more severe.
There are three main signs of impacted wisdom teeth. While not everyone may exhibit all three signs, you can generally anticipate experiencing at least one if your wisdom teeth are impacted.
- Unusual Pain: Feeling a type of tooth pain you haven’t experienced before, particularly focused in the back area of your jaw, could be a sign of tooth impaction. Seeking prompt attention from Dr. Sindledecker and Dr. Saltz as soon as you feel the pain may allow for early intervention before all your wisdom teeth become impacted.
- Swollen Jaw: Sudden swelling in your jaw, accompanied by tenderness to the touch, increases the likelihood of having an impacted tooth. Since wisdom teeth are positioned far back in the jaw, swelling tends to manifest lower in the jaw, toward the ears, when they are impacted.
- Bleeding Gums: If your gums are bleeding, noticeable when you see a pink or red tinged toothbrush, you may be dealing with a wisdom tooth issue. Impacted wisdom teeth exert pressure on your back teeth and gums, often leading to bleeding.
If you observe any of the above signs of impacted wisdom teeth, visit our Boca Raton office as soon as possible. Early treatment can alleviate the pain more quickly!