Victory Smiles

The Early Signs of Impacted Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth are the last molars to erupt, and they typically show up in your late teens or early 20s. But when they don’t come in properly, they can cause a cascade of issues, including impaction.

Impacted wisdom teeth often get stuck under the gum or push against neighboring teeth, leading to pain and other complications. Removing them is the best way to prevent further issues and keep your smile healthy.

Watch out for these common warning signs of impacted wisdom teeth.

1. Persistent Jaw or Gum Pain

One of the earliest signs of an impacted wisdom tooth is a dull or throbbing pain in the back of the jaw. The discomfort may come and go, but it tends to worsen when chewing or brushing near the affected area.

2. Swelling and Redness in the Back of the Mouth

Swollen gums behind your molars can indicate a partially erupted wisdom tooth. The gum tissue may also appear red, inflamed, or even form a flap over the tooth. Disruption to the tissue makes it vulnerable to infection.

3. Bad Breath or a Bad Taste in Your Mouth

Trapped food and bacteria around an impacted wisdom tooth can cause persistent bad breath or an unpleasant taste, even with good oral hygiene. If you’re dealing with stubborn bad breath and nothing else is working, wisdom teeth may be the culprit.

4. Difficulty Opening Your Mouth Fully

In more advanced cases, you may feel stiffness in your jaw or notice it’s hard to open your mouth wide. This may signal that the tooth is pressing against nerves or nearby structures.

Address Impaction with Wisdom Tooth Removal in Houston, TX

If you’re noticing any of these symptoms, visit our wisdom tooth dentist in Houston, TX, right away. The earlier we identify impacted wisdom teeth, the better. Removing them can treat and even prevent the problem from happening, which is why we often recommend wisdom tooth removal in Houston before the teeth come in. Whether you are already dealing with the issues above or simply want to prevent them, our team at Victory Smiles can help.

Schedule a consultation today for wisdom tooth extraction in Houston, TX.