Wisdom teeth are the final set of molars to emerge in the mouth and most people experience them between the ages of 17-25. These extra molars were useful to help our ancient ancestors chew tough foods such as roots, nuts and raw meats. However, due to our smaller jaws now, there is often not enough space for wisdom teeth to grow into.

When wisdom teeth do not have enough room to grow, they become stuck under the gums or grow at an awkward angle. This is known to dentists as an impacted wisdom tooth. Impacted or misaligned teeth can cause serious health issues for your whole mouth. This can cause deep infections, severe jaw pain and damage to surrounding healthy teeth.

Early signs can help you to get to see your dentist early to prevent any painful situations.

1. Constant Pain and Pressure

One of the most common signs of wisdom teeth issues causing pain. Third molars push through your jawbone and will cause pressure.

Throbbing Pain

You will feel constant dull pain around your back molars. This pain will increase when eating food.

Radiating Pain

The pain will radiate from the back jawbone to your ear, cheek and temple.

Pressure

The erupting third molars will cause pressure from your second molars.

Increased Pain at Night

Often pain will increase at night whilst laying down. Blood pressure will increase in your head causing increased inflammation.

2. Inflamed and Sore Gums

As wisdom teeth erupt, small gaps will appear in your gum. This provides the perfect area for food and bacteria to accumulate causing quick inflammation.

Swollen Gums

Behind your last visible molar the gums will become swollen. They will be raised, hard and sore.

Red Gums

Healthy gums should be pale pink but will be a dark red color when inflamed around your erupting wisdom tooth.

Bleeding

Your gums will bleed easily when brushing the back of your teeth or flossing.

Pericoronitis

Dentists know this infection around erupting tooth flaps as pericoronitis. This causes extreme sensitivity and needs to be treated quickly.

3. Difficulty Opening Mouth and Jaw Pain

The infection and inflammation around your impacted wisdom tooth will cause your jaw joint and chewing muscles to become sore.

Difficult to Open Mouth

You will struggle to open your mouth wide enough to eat large foods such as sandwiches and apples.

Jaw Pain When Chewing

Chewing crunchy or tough foods will cause muscle fatigue and aching in your back corner.

Pain Around the TMJ Joint

Inflammation will radiate up to your Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ). This can cause clicking, popping and extreme pain.

Muscle Spasms

As the irritation spreads your cheek and jaw muscles will feel tight and sore throughout the day.

4. Bad Breath

Erupting wisdom teeth will cause inaccessible pockets to form under the gums. These cannot be easily reached by normal toothbrush bristles or floss meaning bacteria will grow.

Bad Breath

Food will rot and bacteria will flourish causing bad breath.

Bad Taste

Often the pocket around your infected wisdom tooth will cause a bad salty taste in your mouth when biting down or putting pressure on your gums.

Not Helped by Brushing

Brushing your teeth, tongue scraping and using mouthwash will only provide temporary relief as bacteria is trapped under the gum flap.

Build up of Plaque

Sticky yellow plaque will build up quickly around your back molars increasing cavity risk.

5. Overcrowding

If there is not enough room in your jaw for the extra molars, your erupting wisdom teeth will cause pressure. This will cause your existing adult teeth to become misaligned.

Front Teeth Overlap

Consistent pressure from your third molars will cause your central and front teeth to come together. This will cause them to twist and overlap.

Effects Braces

If you have worn braces or clear aligners in the past, your erupting wisdom teeth can undo all your hard work and money.

Misalignment

As your teeth become misaligned, your top and bottom teeth will no longer meet properly.

Sensitivity

Misaligned teeth will rub together awkwardly causing wearing of the enamel and sensitivity to hot and cold.

6. Cavities

Wisdom teeth often erupt at awkward angles. They will press directly against your healthy second molars. This will cause a permanent pocket of food and bacteria to develop.

Cavities between Back Molars

Due to the tight gap between your wisdom and second molars, cavities will develop quickly on the back of your second molar.

Wear on Neighboring Teeth

The pressure from your leaning wisdom tooth will cause wear on the enamel of your neighboring tooth.

Severe Pressure

Severe pressure can cause resorption of your healthy second molar root. This means your body eats away at the root.

Difficult to Fill

Often dentists will struggle to fill your decaying second molar with a protective composite filling. They will need to remove the overcrowding wisdom tooth first.

7. Cysts and Damage to Jaw Bone

All wisdom teeth develop in small sacs within your jaw bone. If your wisdom tooth becomes impacted, the sac can fill with fluid and cause a destructive cyst.

Empty Pockets in Jaw

A growing cyst will cause empty pockets in your jaw bone.

Nerve Damage

As the cyst grows it will press against main facial nerves causing numbness in your lower lip, chin and tongue.

Damage to Neighboring Roots

Large cysts will damage the fragile bone holding your neighboring healthy teeth causing them to become loose.

Tumors

In rare cases, an unmonitored wisdom tooth cyst can develop into tumors if left for years. These are benign but require complex surgery.

8. Sinus Issues

Upper wisdom teeth grow directly below your maxillary sinuses. These are the air pockets behind your cheeks and nose. As your upper third molars develop, the roots can grow into the sensitive sinus area.

Constant Sinus Pressure

You will feel a heavy dull pressure in your cheeks, forehead and behind your eyes. This can mimic a sinus infection.

Nasal Congestion

Growing upper roots will irritate your sinus membranes causing congestion and frequent tension headaches.

Increased Pain When Leaning Forward

Sinus pressure will increase when leaning forward.

Confusion with Seasonal Allergies

Many patients will confuse upper wisdom tooth pain with seasonal allergies. A 3D digital x-ray from a dentist will help identify the cause.

Quick Checklist for Wisdom Teeth Issues

• Check the back of your molars with a clean finger. Are your gums sore, raised and inflamed?

• Feel pain when eating food at the very back of your mouth?

• Does your jaw become stiff or click when opening your mouth wide?

• Look in a mirror at your front teeth. Have they suddenly become overcrowded?

• Foul taste in mouth even after brushing and flossing?

• Constant sinus pressure, nasal congestion or cheek pain?

• Visit your dentist for a regular check up. They can take panoramic x-rays to see the hidden roots.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to have my wisdom teeth removed?

No you do not need to have your wisdom teeth removed. If your wisdom teeth have erupted fully, fit in your jaw, stay healthy and are easy to clean then your dentist can leave them in place. They can monitor them during regular check ups.

What is the best age to have my wisdom teeth removed?

Wisdom teeth are generally recommended to be removed between the ages of 16-22. This is because the roots will not have fully developed, the jawbone will be softer and your body will heal much quicker than older adults.

What if I don’t have my wisdom tooth pain treated?

This can cause infections, cysts and cavities to develop quickly. Over time your impacted tooth can cause damage to neighboring teeth, jaw bone erosion, nerve damage and severe facial swelling requiring emergency hospital treatment.

How long will I be off work after having my wisdom teeth removed?

You will be off for around 3-7 days whilst your soft tissues heal. Most patients will return to school/ work 2-3 days after surgery. Full healing of the bone around the empty sockets will take approximately 3-6 months.

By identifying the early signs of wisdom teeth issues, including jaw pain, inflamed gums, overcrowding, jaw pain and sinus pressure, you can treat the issue before serious issues occur. Removing troublesome third molars will protect neighboring teeth, keep your jaw bone healthy, prevent painful infections and keep your smile aligned. Book an appointment at your dentist for a full diagnostic check up and panoramic x-ray to assess your wisdom teeth.