Wisdom Tooth Pain: When Should You See a Dentist in Dudley?

At the first sign of dental pain in your wisdom teeth, you should arrange a checkup with your dentist. Our dentists in Dudley are here to help you get your oral health back on track and to ensure that wisdom teeth problems don’t cause further issues.

Read on to learn more about what causes pain in your wisdom teeth and what your dentist can do about it. Armed with this information, you’ll know when to act to help minimise risk to your oral health.

What causes wisdom tooth pain?

Your wisdom teeth are your third set of molars located at the very back of your mouth. You have two on the top and two on the bottom. For many people, they emerge between the ages of 15 and 22 without any issues, but they can also get stuck on their way out.

If there isn’t enough room for these teeth to emerge, they become impacted, which means that they either cannot emerge or they only partially emerge. They might emerge at any angle, which means they are pushing against the rear molars.

The gums around these teeth can become swollen and tender and the partially emerged tooth can also provide space for bacteria to thrive. If you are unable to brush these teeth correctly, it can lead to dental decay, which will lead to pain and swelling.

What are the symptoms of wisdom tooth pain?

Common symptoms of issues with your wisdom teeth will include:

- Swollen or bleeding gums around the tooth

- Bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth

- Tooth pain at the back of your jaw

- Swelling in your jaw or cheek

- Difficulty opening your mouth

If you notice any of these issues, it’s time to see a dentist. Issues with your wisdom teeth won’t resolve on their own, and often extraction will be the only way to protect your remaining teeth from damage.

How is wisdom tooth pain treated?

If a wisdom tooth cannot emerge correctly, it’s important to remove it so that it cannot cause further damage. Extracting a wisdom tooth can be more complex than a routine extraction, so you may be referred to the hospital for a surgical extraction. If more than one wisdom tooth is causing you trouble, your dentist may recommend moving them all at once so that you only have to go through the recovery process once.

In many cases, your dentist will be able to handle the extraction in the practice. Once the tooth has been removed, you’ll be free from pain and discomfort. The gum will take around two weeks to heal, and then the bone below that will close up in a few months.

You won’t notice your wisdom teeth missing and you won’t face any harm as a result of not having them. In fact, many people can find relief from their jaw problems after removing their wisdom teeth, as they can cause clicking and pain in your jaw.

When is wisdom tooth pain an emergency?

A bad infection can spread to different parts of your body, which is why it’s important not to let the problem get this far. Swelling in your jaw can also interfere with your breathing and your ability to swallow. It’s essential that you go to your dentist at the first sign of an issue with your wisdom teeth so that we can take the appropriate action.