Some people do not develop wisdom teeth, but those who do often have to deal with them until they are removed. So, what are these teeth for if they need to be removed? Wisdom teeth are the third set of molars. Anthropologists and evolutionists say they were meant to be backup teeth if you lose other molars from eating hard foods. Our diets have become more palatable today, and dental care has improved, making wisdom teeth less necessary than they were before. However, there are instances where you should consider having them removed if they are causing problems for you. These problems may include:

  1. Frequent Headaches and Migraines

Wisdom teeth often do not have enough space to grow, causing them to push against other neighboring teeth. This pressure can create tension, like a constant force on your jaws and teeth. Other times, the wisdom teeth can grow at odd angles or become stuck below the gum surface. When this happens, they are referred to as impacted teeth.

Impacted teeth can cause gum irritation, leading to pain and swelling that spreads beyond your mouth. This discomfort can eventually result in headaches. If the wisdom teeth cause your headaches, you might feel intense headaches in the morning. This pain often occurs because when you are asleep, you may clench or grind your jaws or teeth due to the irritation caused by the wisdom teeth. The grinding increases jaw tension, which can lead to headaches.

Types of Headache Caused By Wisdom Teeth

  • Tension Headache: These are the most common types of headaches caused by wisdom teeth. As the molars push for space, it creates pressure in the jaws, leading to an aching pain in the head. Tension headaches cause pain that feels like a tight band around the head.

  • Cluster Headaches: Wisdom teeth can also cause cluster headaches characterized by sharp, burning pain. They usually occur around one eye or on one side of the face.

  • Migraines: The pain and stress from wisdom teeth can sometimes trigger severe head migraines. These headaches are intense and often felt on one side of the head, accompanied by sensitivity to noise and light and sometimes nausea.

  • Referred Pain Headaches: The discomfort from wisdom teeth can spread beyond the jaw, leading to headaches in other parts of the head.

  • Sinus Headache: When wisdom teeth affect the upper jaw, it can create pain and pressure in the sinuses. Sinus headaches feel like strain and pressure around the eyes, cheeks, and forehead and often worsen when you lie down or bend forward.

  1. Constant Jaw Pain

Sometimes, when wisdom teeth come in, they can create bite problems if the space in the mouth is insufficient. If your wisdom teeth are healthy and in the correct position, they usually do not hurt. However, if they push against other teeth, they can change how teeth fit together when you chew or talk. This misalignment can apply pressure to the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which connects the lower jaw to the skull and helps with all mouth movements. Jaw pain also often happens from how wisdom teeth come in. They can erupt in different ways, including:

Partially Erupted Teeth

If there is not enough room for the wisdom teeth to fully break through the gums, the gum tissue may stay over the tooth. This tissue can cause pain and swelling in the gums and trap food and bacteria, leading to infections. Symptoms of a partial eruption can include pain and stiffness in the jaw near the partially erupted wisdom tooth.

Impacted Teeth

If your jaw is too small for wisdom teeth, they might become impacted, meaning they cannot fully emerge through the bone and gums. They may grow at odd angles, damaging nearby healthy teeth. Impacted wisdom teeth can even grow backward into the jaw, leading to cysts, infections, and gum disease. Sometimes, impacted teeth cause jaw pain, while you might not notice any symptoms in other cases.

Misaligned Teeth

Misaligned wisdom teeth can cause Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) disorder. Many individuals with TMJ disorder hear popping or clicking sounds when they open and close their mouths. In severe cases, the jaw may “lock,” making moving the jaws hard. Tooth wear is another common sign of TMJ dysfunction.

Removing your wisdom teeth can help improve your bite and reduce strain on your TMJ, especially if you follow up with orthodontic treatment to realign your teeth. Keeping wisdom teeth can cause other oral health problems, so tooth removal is often beneficial.

  1. Unexplained Sinus Problems

Oral health is linked to overall well-being, and a good example of this connection is the relationship between wisdom teeth and sinuses.

The sinuses are air-filled spaces in the skull and face that help breathing. They are located inside the forehead, cheekbones, and behind the nose.

The upper wisdom teeth are located near the sinuses, which are situated behind the nose. As these teeth emerge, their roots can exert pressure on the sinus area, potentially causing sinus headaches or infections. A sinus infection occurs when these air spaces become inflamed, causing pain and difficulty breathing.

Before recommending a procedure to remove the wisdom teeth, a dentist will conduct X-rays and a detailed examination to check the position of the wisdom teeth and confirm if they are causing your sinus problems. If they are, they will schedule a separate appointment for the extraction. The removal of wisdom teeth will relieve pressure on the sinuses, which can help reduce tension, headaches, and jaw pain. It can also help resolve sinus and other impact-related problems, such as jaw discomfort and shifting teeth.

  1. Dentigerous Cysts

A dentigerous cyst is a fluid-filled sac that forms around the crown of a tooth that has not yet erupted. It often forms near the neck of the tooth, where the root meets the crown and expands around it. This type of cyst usually affects impacted wisdom teeth but can occur around any tooth still embedded in the jawbone.

These growths can become large enough to feel but are often rare. They grow slowly and are located at the back of your mouth, so you might not realize one is present until your dentist points it out. They can spot it during a regular check-up. If your dentist is examining your wisdom teeth, they might use an x-ray to find it, or an orthodontist could see a dentigerous cyst during a braces or aligner consultation. On a dental X-ray, it appears as a semicircle surrounding the upper part of the tooth.

A larger cyst might affect the teeth next to it, damaging their roots and possibly shifting them out of place.

Signs of dentigerous cysts can include:

  • Gaps between the affected teeth

  • Teeth that are out of alignment

  • Swollen gums

  • Sensitivity

Your general dentist can remove the cyst with the proper surgical skills, but you will likely be referred to an oral surgeon. Oral surgeons often deal with various cysts when taking out wisdom teeth.

Initially, you will receive a local anesthetic. Then, the oral surgeon will likely extract the tooth and the cyst. If the cyst is small, your dentist might drain it. A bone graft may be necessary for larger cysts if bone loss occurs.

Depending on the cyst's size and severity, recovery can take a week to several months. Usually, only one procedure is needed, but you may need follow-up visits for the surgeon to monitor your healing.

  1. Oral Inflammation or Pericoronitis

Pericoronitis is the swelling and infection of the gum tissue surrounding wisdom teeth. It happens when a wisdom tooth does not fully emerge or only comes in partially. A partially erupted wisdom tooth can create a flap of gum or an operculum that traps food and debris, making it easy for bacteria to thrive.

Mild symptoms include painful and swollen gums near the affected tooth, making it difficult to bite down without discomfort. You might also notice a foul smell or taste in your mouth and pus discharge in the impacted area.

More serious symptoms include facial swelling, swollen lymph nodes, and jaw spasms. These may indicate that the infection is spreading to the throat and neck, which can impact breathing and swallowing and may be life-threatening. You should immediately contact your dentist if you notice early signs of pericoronitis.

How Is Pericoronitis Treated?

First, your dentist will clean out the area to remove trapped food and debris. They will then prescribe oral antibiotics to treat the infection and recommend an antibacterial mouth rinse to help clear the area. Over-the-counter pain relievers or those your dentist prescribes can help manage any pain.

What happens next depends on the wisdom tooth’s condition. Sometimes, pericoronitis occurs near a tooth that is still erupting. In such cases, your dentist will monitor the area to ensure it remains clean and infection-free until the tooth fully emerges.

If your symptoms are severe, you might need a minor oral procedure to remove the flap of gum tissue known as the operculum. If the wisdom tooth does not come in properly, the dentist may suggest removing it. In some cases, the upper and lower wisdom teeth may be removed to stop the upper tooth from pressing against the lower gum, which can lead to more infections.

  1. Gum Infections and Bad Breath

Wisdom teeth that are misaligned or impacted can be hard to clean, making them a breeding ground for food particles and bacteria. Bacteria thrive in warm, moist areas. So, an impacted wisdom tooth can lead to infections, cysts, and decay.

These issues can result in bad breath and an unpleasant taste in your mouth. If your wisdom tooth is impacted and promoting bacteria growth, the small area between the tooth and gum could be the reason for the bad breath. The gums around the affected tooth are prone to infection, and the bacteria can produce smelly sulfur compounds.

An infection cannot improve without proper care.

Other signs of an infected wisdom tooth or gum infection include:

  • A bad taste in the mouth

  • Pain

  • Swelling

  • Inflammation

  • Bleeding

Treatment may involve antibiotics and cleaning the affected gums. You should have your wisdom teeth removed to avoid future issues. If the tooth is not removed, it can lead to decay, infections in the bone and gums, and even bone loss.

  1. Swollen Lymph Nodes

One indication that your dentist may need to extract your wisdom teeth is the presence of swollen lymph nodes. Lymph nodes are found throughout your body and help filter bacteria and viruses.

While many people associate lymph nodes with the head and neck, numerous nodes in these areas can become affected when wisdom teeth are causing oral issues. If you notice swelling in the lymph nodes of your neck, it may indicate an infected wisdom tooth that requires removal.

Common signs of swollen lymph nodes include tenderness and pain near the affected area. The swelling can vary, resembling a pea or a kidney bean. You might also experience other symptoms like a fever, runny nose, and night sweats.

The removal procedure can differ based on the tooth’s position. If you have impacted wisdom teeth and swollen lymph nodes in your neck, your dentist will likely need more extensive surgery. During the procedure, they will lift the gums to access the wisdom teeth, remove them from their sockets, and then stitch the area closed.

Complications You Should Be Aware Of Before Your Procedure

Like any medical procedure, there can be unexpected complications that you should know about before your procedure:

  • There is a nerve that provides sensation to the lower lip, chin, and tongue, often very close to the roots of the lower wisdom teeth. Removing these teeth between the ages of 12 and 18 usually means the roots are shorter, making it less likely for the nerve to be affected. However, the roots may be longer and closer to the nerve in older patients. During the extraction, this nerve can become irritated.

  • After the local anesthesia wears off, you might feel tingling or numbness in your lower lip, chin, or tongue. This sensation is usually temporary and will fade over weeks or months. In rare cases, it can lead to a persistent sensation change, especially if a nerve irritates.

  • The upper wisdom teeth are located near your sinuses, and their removal can sometimes create a tiny opening or communication between your mouth and the sinus. If the teeth are removed at a younger age, the roots are less developed, making this complication unlikely. If it does happen, it usually heals on its own. Your dentist may provide specific instructions if this occurs during surgery. You can wipe your nose, but avoid blowing it. If you need to sneeze, open your mouth into a tissue. It helps prevent pressure in the sinus area, which could disturb the healing of blood clots. If you notice any communication after surgery, contact your dentist. In rare cases, another procedure might be needed to close this communication.

  • Another common issue after any surgery is infection, which usually requires a visit to the office for an examination. Often, a week of antibiotics will resolve any infection. Sometimes, drainage of the infected area near the surgical site may be necessary, and very rarely, patients might need to be hospitalized for intravenous antibiotics and further drainage.

  • You may also face temporary issues after surgery, such as jaw stiffness, irritation around your lips, facial bruising, and slight bleeding from the extraction sites. Your postoperative instruction sheet will address many common concerns you should watch out for.

What is the Best Age to Have Wisdom Teeth Removed?

If it is evident that there is not enough space for your third molars to come in, you should have them removed as soon as possible. For some, this might be around 11 or 12 years old, while for others, it could be 17 or 18. Younger patients tend to heal faster, with more predictable outcomes and fewer complications than older patients.

What If I Do Not Remove Them Now?

In the past, many patients were advised to take a “wait and see” approach regarding wisdom teeth. Those who did not have enough space usually faced localized issues later on. The downside of this approach is that removing impacted wisdom teeth in your thirties, forties, fifties, or later can be much more challenging.

Older patients tend to recover longer after surgery and often experience more complications. Dealing with these complications can be more difficult as people age. If you have not had your impacted wisdom teeth removed in your younger years, it might be better to wait until a specific problem arises before treating it, like a cyst or gum disease. This is because healing can be hard to predict as you age, increasing the risk of infection and a slower recovery.

Find a Qualified Dentist Specialist Near Me

Wisdom tooth extraction is a surgical process to remove one or more wisdom teeth. These are the four permanent teeth located at the back corners of your mouth, on both the upper and lower jaws. If your wisdom tooth, or third molar, lacks enough space to grow, it can become impacted. This case can result in pain, infection, or other dental complications, requiring a visit to a dentist or oral surgeon for removal. Some dental experts advise removing wisdom teeth even if they are not causing any issues, as they might lead to future problems.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms and believe you may need wisdom teeth removal in Aliso Viejo, our team at South Coast Dentistry is here to help. Our experienced dentists specialize in oral and maxillofacial surgery, ensuring your oral health is well cared for. Call us at 949-274-9086 to schedule your dental appointment.