Teenagers and adults must understand the signs of impacted wisdom teeth so that they can seek help from their dentist as fast as possible. Many individuals have mouths that are too small for wisdom teeth, so the teeth will remain in the gums underneath other teeth or alveolar bones while creating pressure. Here are the signs of impacted wisdom teeth. 

Sign 1: Pain in the Gums 

If you notice chronic pain in the gums toward the back of the mouth, then you may have impacted wisdom teeth. It is possible to have one or more wisdom teeth, and you may only feel pain in one area of your mouth. However, during a dental examination, a dentist can collect X-rays to determine if you have several third molars. Most dentists will remove all of the wisdom teeth at one time so that you only need one recovery process. 

Sign 2: Headaches, Sinus Pressure, or Earaches

The third molars are located in sensitive areas of your mouth, so you can experience earaches, sinus pressure, or headaches when the wisdom teeth are impacted. Taking medications for these problems can help you to feel better for a few hours, but you will continue to have problems unless you arrange surgery to have the third molars removed. 

Sign 3: Foul Breath Odor

When you have a foul breath odor that won’t go away, you should visit your dentist to determine if there is an oral health problem. While poor dental hygiene can lead to halitosis from tooth decay or gum disease, the inflammation in the gum tissues from impacted wisdom teeth can cause bad breath. 

Sign 4: Bleeding Gum Tissues

An impacted wisdom tooth can lead to bleeding from your gum’s sensitive tissues. This is because the tooth is struggling to push through a tiny space between the other teeth or toward the back of the mouth. In some cases, a wisdom tooth will try to erupt from the sides of the gum tissue, disturbing the blood vessels that are in your gums. 

Sign 5: Problems with the Joints of the Jaw

The impacted wisdom teeth can lead to problems with the joints of the jaw, making it difficult to open the mouth to eat food or to talk. In some cases, the jaw joints will lock, making it impossible to close the mouth after opening it. 

Sign 6: A Bad Taste in the Mouth 

With the inflammation in the mouth from the impacted third molars, you can develop a bad taste in the mouth that won’t go away with frequent brushing and flossing. This horrible taste can make it impossible to enjoy beverages and foods, leading to nutritional deficiencies that can affect the health of your teeth and gums. 

Call Our Dental Office Today

If you have one or more signs of impacted wisdom teeth, then contact Mountain View Dental in Pleasant View, Utah today. Our office receptionist can arrange an appointment in our comfortable and professional dental facility.