Wisdom teeth are the extra four molars that emerge at the back of the mouth in a person’s late teens or early 20s. These molars have no real purpose and usually tend to come in at the wrong angle or get stuck underneath the gum, leading to other serious oral complications, including gum disease, bad breath, tooth decay, among others.
But how do you know if your wisdom teeth are coming in? This article offers you 8 signs of erupting wisdom teeth.
What Are Wisdom Teeth?
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As mentioned above, wisdom teeth are the last four molars to erupt at the back of your mouth, usually in your early 20s. This late eruption is part of the normal development of your dental structure. Normally, there are four wisdom teeth – two in your upper jaw and two in your lower jaw. But some people have more, less, or none at all.
Since there is limited space at the back of the mouth, most wisdom teeth are unable to emerge full, causing serious pain and discomfort. Even if your wisdom teeth don’t develop complications immediately, they are likely to cause problems in the future. That’s why dentists recommend the immediate removal of wisdom teeth when they erupt.
8 Signs of Wisdom Teeth Eruption
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Given the wide range of oral complications that result from impacted wisdom teeth, it is important to understand the signs of wisdom teeth eruption so that you can seek the necessary medical attention right away. Unfortunately, most of these signs are oral complications that may interfere with your normal day-to-day activities. Here are some of the common signs of wisdom teeth coming in.
1. Tender and Swollen Gums
When your wisdom teeth are coming in, the first thing you will notice is your tender and swollen gum at the back of your mouth where the last molars are located. This also creates serious discomfort around the back of your mouth. This can happen on either side of your jaws or just one. It is the same kind of feeling experienced during adult teething.
2. Triggered Headaches
If your wisdom teeth become impacted (come in at the wrong angle or get stuck underneath the gum), they will lead to a build-up of pressure in your jaw, causing triggered headaches.
Unfortunately, this sign might be difficult to notice, especially if you suffer from frequent migraines. So, continue attending your regular check-ups with a dentist so that they can detect possible oral complications resulting from the eruption of wisdom teeth.
3. Gum Infections
When your wisdom teeth start to erupt, some of their roots may be awkwardly positioned, preventing the teeth from emerging fully. This leaves an open socket in your gums where food particles and bacteria may get stuck, causing gum infection. Also, it will be very difficult to brush or floss a wisdom tooth that is stuck under the gum.
This will put you at high risk of developing gum infections, including periodontitis. This is why you should have your impacted wisdom teeth removed immediately. Gum infection is a serious symptom of impacted wisdom teeth and therefore you should seek your dentist’s advice immediately.
4. Jaw Pain
If your wisdom teeth get trapped under the gum, they create pressure that causes jaw pain. Although this pain is usually mild, sometimes you will experience an occasional shot of sharp pain in your jaw, especially when you are chewing something using your molars. It will also make it difficult and painful for you to open your mouth wide, especially when laughing or singing.
5. Bad Breath and Taste
The open sockets in your gums caused by wisdom teeth tend to trap food particles and bacteria, causing bad breath and taste in your mouth. The bad breath doesn’t go away even after brushing and flossing your teeth because it is impossible for your toothbrush to reach deep into the open socket.
6. Inflammatory Dental Disease
Studies have shown that impacted wisdom teeth are likely to cause inflammatory dental disease, which may damage the neighboring teeth and jawbone. When a wisdom tooth gets stuck under the gum or comes in at the wrong angle, it pushes the nearby teeth and may leave you with a deformed jawbone.
7. Bleeding Gums
If you have bleeding gums, see a medical doctor or dentist immediately for evaluation. A doctor’s intervention is necessary, especially if the bleeding is accompanied by jaw pain and swollen gum. Even if you do not have any wisdom teeth complications, bleeding gums is a major cause for concern because it could be a sign of underlying gum disease.
8. Fever
When your wisdom teeth are breaking through the gums, you are likely to experience a low-grade fever. You will also notice a small flap of gum called a pericoronal flap hanging over the area of the emerging tooth.
What To Do When You Notice Signs of Wisdom Teeth Coming In
Since most wisdom teeth present serious oral complications when they erupt, dentists recommend their immediate removal to prevent future complications. It is advisable to remove your wisdom teeth at an early age when their roots are still not fully attached to your jawbone.
That way, their extraction process will be simple, quick, and without complications. Here are some of the steps you should take to deal with the symptoms of wisdom teeth eruption.
1. Cold and Compression Therapy
Cold and compression therapy has proved to be quite effective in reducing inflammation, pain, and swelling caused by impacted wisdom teeth. This therapy involves placing a packet of ice on the affected jaw for about 20 minutes.
2. Heat and Compression Therapy
If you have applied cold and compression therapy without success, you should try heat and compression therapy. This involves the use of heat packs that can be dry or moist. Dry heat takes longer to offer the desired effect, while moist heat acts more swiftly.
Heat and compression should be applied to the area for 20 minutes, up to three times a day unless otherwise specified. If you can’t get a heat pack at home, you can easily make one by filling a sock with rice. Then, warm the sock up in the microwave.
3. Take Anti-Inflammatory Drugs
Taking anti-inflammatory drugs will help you reduce swelling and alleviate pain in the affected area. These drugs can be bought over the counter or ask your dentist for a prescription. Take the medication every few hours, as indicated on the label.
4. Rinse with Salt Water
Saltwater is a natural pain reliever and a simple way to get rid of bacteria. It also helps to heal oral wounds caused by the erupting teeth. Just make sure you do not swallow the saltwater when rinsing your mouth.
5. Peppermint Tea Bag
Peppermint contains mild natural numbing properties that will temporarily relieve the pain. Some people prefer to cool their peppermint tea bags in the freezer before using them. But you can also apply the tea bag while it’s warm and wait for it to cool.
Remember that these remedies are just temporary solutions. The only permanent way to deal with complications caused by impacted wisdom teeth is to remove them right away.
