How To Tell If My Wisdom Teeth Are Coming In?
Wisdom teeth usually emerge at the ages of 17 and 25.
They’re usually not problematic, but they can create problems if your mouth has no space for them or if they don’t come in straight.
People usually fail to identify whether their mouth has wisdom teeth or not.
It is not easy to know if you have a wisdom tooth, as it is an impacted tooth and is not seen by our eyes.
However, there are signs that tell whether your new wisdom teeth need an extraction or not.
Related blog post:
How To Tell If My Wisdom Teeth Are Coming In?
The followings are helpful ways to identify the existence of wisdom teeth in your mouth.
Dental X-Ray
A dental X-ray is an ideal way to identify the existence of your wisdom teeth.
A panoramic X-ray can show your wisdom teeth position by capturing all of the teeth and jaws.
Without an X-ray, you can still know your wisdom teeth are coming in because you are starting to notice some unusual signs.
Look — They Might Be Visible
A clear sign that your wisdom teeth might be coming in is the appearance of them.
Stand in front of a mirror and take a flashlight to your mouth so you can have a look at the back of your gums.
Sometimes it’s not the teeth you see; there might be a lump in there or some swelling you have never noticed.
Perhaps it might be the wisdom teeth!
So, give it a try by finding your wisdom teeth by yourself.
Irritation in the molar area
If you feel a pointed object in your molar area, then there is a higher chance that you’ve identified your wisdom teeth!
You may sense a tiny thing with your tongue when you touch the back-most area of your mouth.
If you are getting any of these feelings and the tooth is growing after some time, then it is essential to visit your dentist to know whether you need to remove them or not.
Swelling of the gums
Gums start swelling when the wisdom teeth come in.
That usually happens behind your second molars.
You may feel like your gums have been filled with some air when touching your tongue.
Jaw pain
Jaw pain is one of the severe symptoms of wisdom teeth.
You can observe pain in either one or both of your jaw.
You can treat that temporarily by applying a hot and cold compress to your cheeks.
Bleeding or tender gums
Bleeding is not a clear sign of wisdom teeth.
However, if it occurs daily (especially in the molar area), that could be because of the wisdom teeth. Sometimes you may feel excessive bleeding and sometimes a taste of blood, especially in the morning.
Difficulty in opening your mouth
This is also known as a lock-jaw, which is a severe condition that jams the jaw causing difficulty and pain in opening and closing your mouth, especially while eating. [alert type=”warning” icon-size=”normal”]Note: Don’t take it lightly if you are experiencing lock-jaw, as it is a severe condition that may lead to jaw fractures, among other serious issues.[/alert]
Bad taste or breathe
A wisdom tooth can cause infections and cysts because of the bacteria present in your mouth.
This can give rise to severe bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth. This usually happens because of poor oral hygiene in the wisdom tooth area.
Related post:
How Long After Tooth Extraction Can I Use Mouthwash?
Triggered headaches
If your wisdom teeth are trapped under the gums, they can lead to a build-up of pressure, which can cause headaches.
This can be a severe symptom that can get worse if you are already suffering from frequent headaches.
So, always ensure that you continue to attend regular checkups with your dentist to monitor your oral health condition.
Infections in the gums
As wisdom teeth begin to come out, they can often be awkwardly positioned, which causes only a single tooth to emerge.
When this happens, it can lead the gum tissues to become prone to infections.
Food can get stuck in this situation, making it quite challenging to remove, even with thorough brushing and flossing.
This can lead to a potentially severe infection known as pericoronitis if not detected and treated immediately.
Therefore, it is crucial to visit your dentist before the infection gets severe and worsens your dental condition.
Pain in other areas
Wisdom teeth don’t create pain only in your molar area. It can sometimes put pressure on the nerves and cause pain around the jaw, eyes, and ears.
In some situations, you can also feel pain on the one side of your head, either left or right.
Small white specks
Tiny white specks emerging behind your second molars are a visible sign that your wisdom teeth are beginning to come out.
The white specks are the top of your new teeth breaking from the gum line.
Cysts and Cavities
Ignoring wisdom teeth can cause cysts and other harmless jaw tumors, which are sacs of fluid that gets collected and will infect the area nearby.
As a result, it can damage the roots of your nearby teeth which can lead to bone destruction.
However, this is not something to worry about as it is a rare condition that does not happen every time.
Sinus issues and Eating Difficulties
Sinus pain, congestion, and pressure in the upper jaw are typical signs of emerging wisdom teeth.
The growth of teeth and their roots’ development can push against the sinuses situated right above and behind.
This severe pressure can cause headaches and sinus pain.
What’s more, you may also experience pain while chewing, biting, or eating any solid food.
Related blog posts you may like to check:
- Can You Eat French Fries After Wisdom Teeth Removal?
- Can I Eat Ramen Noodles After Tooth Extraction?
- When Can I Eat Pizza After Wisdom Teeth Removal?
- When Can I Eat A Burger After Wisdom Teeth Removal?
- When Can I Eat Rice After Wisdom Teeth Removal?
When do wisdom teeth need to be removed?
Although wisdom teeth are a severe dental condition, you don’t always need to have them removed.
If the wisdom teeth placement is good and the alignment is correct, they will not cause any issue. And in this case, you won’t need to have them removed.
However, in most cases, wisdom teeth start to come in sideways. They can remain stuck under the gum line and cause a lack of space, disrupting other teeth’s alignment.
Such wisdom teeth are called ‘impacted’ and may cause cysts or tumors, destroying the jaw bone and causing tooth decay if left untreated.
What’s more, if the teeth only grow partially, they can make oral hygiene, i.e., brushing, more complex.
These teeth can let bacteria enter the gums, resulting in an infection that causes pain, swelling, and stiffness, as well as bad breath.
All in all, make an appointment with your dentist if you are feeling any unusual conditions in your wisdom teeth. And don’t late, or you’ll end up worsening your dental condition!
How do I know if my wisdom teeth are coming incorrectly?
If you are not feeling pain, irritation, or numbness in your wisdom teeth, then that means they are coming in correctly. Other vital signs that tell whether they’re growing well or not include decay of the gums, swelling, and pain.
It is a bit difficult for us to know whether your wisdom teeth have grown correctly or not. So, it is highly recommended to have a dental checkup so the dentist can confirm everything.
Is it essential to know if your wisdom teeth are coming in?
Wisdom teeth are not the same as the other teeth in your mouth. Their growth, their extraction process, everything is different from the typical teeth.
That means if you ignore the occurrence of your wisdom teeth, and let them grow without your knowledge, then you can end up worsening your dental health.
Because your wisdom teeth can decay, or bacteria can take place in them, there are very few chances to protect your teeth at such a point, even from a dental expert.
Even if you visit a professional dentist, they will cost you a lot for treatment. Therefore, it is crucial to know if your wisdom teeth are coming in.
The Bottom Line
Detecting wisdom teeth is a pretty tricky job. But it is crucial to know if your wisdom teeth are appearing because if you know about them late, you may get yourself into a severe dental complication.
In the end, we hope you can now identify signs of wisdom teeth coming in and handle the situation appropriately.
