19 Signs You May Need Emergency Wisdom Tooth Removal

By Ellen Hollington, 11.06.2024

Are you experiencing sudden, intense pain in the back of your mouth? It could be a sign that you need an emergency wisdom tooth removal. Knowing when to seek help is important.

This quick guide will help you understand the key signs that signal you might need this urgent dental procedure. Let's dive into the common symptoms and what you should watch out for.

Pain and Discomfort

Pain and discomfort are common signs that you might need to remove a wisdom tooth. You may feel a sharp pain at the back of your mouth that doesn't go away. It could hurt when you bite, chew, or even when you speak. Sometimes, the area can become swollen and sore.

This often happens if you have a wisdom tooth cavity, which could lead to other problems if not treated quickly. If you notice these signs, it's important to see a dentist soon. They can assess the situation and determine if an emergency wisdom tooth removal is necessary.

Swelling and Redness

Swelling and redness in your gums can indicate a problem with your wisdom teeth. The area around the wisdom tooth may become puffy and red, making it hard to open your mouth or eat comfortably. This swelling can also cause your cheeks to puff out. A common reason for this is an infection or cyst forming around the tooth.

To find out what's causing these symptoms, your dentist might suggest a wisdom teeth x-ray. This simple procedure can show if your wisdom teeth are impacted or causing other issues and help plan the best way to treat them.

Difficulty Opening Your Mouth

If you find it hard to open your mouth wide, it could be because of your wisdom teeth. Sometimes, the wisdom teeth can get stuck and push against other teeth. This can cause pain and make your jaw feel stiff.

You might notice that you can't open your mouth as wide as you used to. This problem can also make it difficult to eat, talk, or even brush your teeth. If you have this issue, it's important to see a dentist. They can help you figure out if your wisdom teeth are the cause and what needs to be done.

Bleeding Gums

Bleeding gums can be another sign that you need to think about emergency wisdom tooth removal. If your wisdom teeth are not fitting well or are pushing against other teeth, your gums might start bleeding.

The bleeding usually happens when you brush or floss your teeth. This can be a sign of infection or that your gums are being damaged. It's important to check with a dentist if you have bleeding gums. They can look at your teeth and gums to see what is wrong. For help, visit your local emergency dental care to get the advice and treatment you need.

Bad Breath

Bad breath can be another sign of wisdom tooth problems. When wisdom teeth grow in a crooked or crowded way, food can get stuck around them. This makes it hard to clean the area well, which can lead to bacteria building up.

These bacteria cause the bad smell that people notice. If you brush your teeth and still have bad breath, see a dentist. They can help find out if your wisdom teeth are the cause and suggest the right treatment to fix it.

Headaches and Jaw Pain

Headaches and jaw pain can also mean you need to remove your wisdom teeth. When your wisdom teeth push against other teeth, it can make your jaw hurt. This pain can move up to your head, causing headaches.

Sometimes, it can feel like a dull ache or even a sharp pain that comes and goes. If you have headaches and jaw pain, see a dentist. They can check if your wisdom teeth are causing the problem and tell you what to do next.

Sinus Problems

Your wisdom teeth can also cause sinus problems. This happens when the upper wisdom teeth grow in and push against your sinuses. This can make your nose feel stuffy or blocked. You might feel like you have a cold or allergies. Sometimes, this pressure can even cause headaches or pain around your cheekbones.

If you have sinus problems that won't go away, it could be because of your wisdom teeth. Seeing a dentist can help you find out if your teeth are causing these issues and what to do next.

Difficulty Chewing

Having trouble chewing your food can be a sign that you need your wisdom teeth checked. When wisdom teeth grow in a bad way, they can press against your other teeth.

This can make it hard to bite and chew your food. You might feel pain or discomfort when eating. Sometimes, you may even avoid certain foods because they are too hard to chew. If you notice these problems, it's a good idea to see a dentist. They can look at your wisdom teeth and tell you if they need to be removed to help you chew better.

Gum Infection

A gum infection can happen if your wisdom teeth are not growing in the right way. The gums around the wisdom teeth can get red, swollen, and painful. You might notice pus or a bad taste in your mouth.

It can also make your gums bleed easily when you brush or floss. If you think you have a gum infection, it's important to see a dentist quickly. They can clean the area and give you medicine to help it heal. Ignoring a gum infection can lead to more serious problems so don't wait too long to get help.

Swollen Lymph Nodes

Swollen lymph nodes can be a sign that you need to remove your wisdom teeth. Lymph nodes are small, round lumps found in your neck and jaw area. They help your body fight infections.

If your wisdom teeth are causing problems, it might make these lymph nodes swell up. You may notice tender spots when you touch your neck or jaw. The swollen nodes can make you feel sore and uncomfortable. It's a good idea to see a dentist if you have swollen lymph nodes. They can check if your wisdom teeth are the reason and tell you what to do next.

Earache

An earache can be a sign of wisdom teeth problems. When the wisdom teeth push against other teeth, they can cause pain that spreads to your ears. This might make your ears feel sore or hurt a lot. You could also feel a dull ache that doesn't go away. Sometimes, the pain can get worse when you chew or talk.

If you have an earache and think it might be because of your wisdom teeth, it is a good idea to see a dentist. They can check your teeth and help you find out what is wrong. Fixing the problem can help make the earache go away.

Numbness or Tingling

Numbness or tingling in your mouth can be a sign that your wisdom teeth need to be removed this feeling might be in your gums, lips, chin, or even your tongue. It can happen if the wisdom teeth are pushing against the nerves.

This pressure on the nerves can make parts of your mouth feel strange or even go numb. If you have these feelings, it is important to see a dentist right away. They can check if your wisdom teeth are causing the problem and help you decide what to do next.

Crowding of Other Teeth

When wisdom teeth come in, they can push against other teeth and cause crowding this means that your teeth start to move and get closer together. It can make your smile look crooked. Crowding can also make it hard to clean between your teeth.

This might lead to cavities or gum disease. If you notice your teeth moving or if they feel cramped, see a dentist. They can check if your wisdom teeth are causing the problem and suggest the best way to fix it.

Cysts or Tumors

Cysts or tumors can be a serious problem that comes from wisdom teeth. A cyst is a small sac filled with fluid. A tumor is a lump that can grow big. Both can form around a wisdom tooth. If a cyst or tumor is not treated, it can harm your teeth, gums, and jaw bones.

You might notice swelling or feel something hard in your mouth. It's important to see a dentist if you think you have a cyst or tumor. They can check it out and tell you the best way to treat it.

Jaw Stiffness

Jaw stiffness can be another sign that you might need your wisdom teeth removed. When wisdom teeth come in, they can press against other teeth and make your jaw feel tight or sore. You might find it hard to open your mouth wide or move your jaw easily. This can make eating, talking, or even yawning uncomfortable.

If you notice your jaw feels stiff or if it hurts to move, it's a good idea to visit a dentist. They can check if your wisdom teeth are the cause and tell you what needs to be done to help your jaw feel better.

Difficulty Speaking

Having trouble speaking can be a sign that your wisdom teeth need to be removed. When wisdom teeth do not fit well in your mouth, they can push against other teeth and make it hard to open your mouth fully.

This can make talking feel awkward or even painful. You might find it tough to say certain words or sounds clearly. If speaking becomes difficult, it is important to see a dentist. They can check if your wisdom teeth are causing the problem and tell you what needs to be done to make speaking easier again.

Pus or Drainage

Pus or drainage in your mouth can be a sign that your wisdom teeth are causing problems. Pus is a thick, yellowish fluid that can come from an infected area. If you see pus in your mouth, it means there is an infection. This can also cause a bad taste, swelling, and pain.

Sometimes, you might notice fluid draining from the gums around your wisdom teeth. This is a clear sign that you need to see a dentist quickly. The dentist can clean the infected area and give you medicine to help it heal. Taking care of the infection right away can prevent more serious problems.

Fever and Chills

Fever and chills can mean that your wisdom teeth are causing problems. When your body fights an infection, like one around your wisdom teeth, you might get a fever.

You might feel warm or sweaty. At the same time, you can have chills that make you feel cold and shiver. These signs mean it's important to see a dentist right away. They can look at your wisdom teeth and find out if they are the cause. Getting help quickly can make you feel better and stop the infection from getting worse.

Visible Tooth Decay

Visible tooth decay is a clear sign that your wisdom teeth might need to be removed. When you look at your teeth, you might see dark spots, holes, or even missing parts on the wisdom teeth. This decay happens because food and bacteria get trapped around the tooth, causing it to rot.

You might also notice pain or a bad taste in your mouth. If you see any of these signs, it's important to see a dentist as soon as you can. The dentist can check your wisdom teeth and decide if they need to be taken out to stop the decay from spreading.

Learn More About Emergency Wisdom Tooth Removal

Learning about emergency wisdom tooth removal is important. Your health should always come first. If you have pain, swelling, bleeding, or other problems, don't wait. Go to see a dentist quickly. They can check your wisdom teeth and give you the right treatment.

Taking care of wisdom teeth problems early can stop worse issues from happening. Always keep an eye on how your mouth feels and visit your dentist regularly. This way, you can keep your mouth healthy and pain-free.

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