Achey Offenders: 4 Causes of Wisdom Tooth Pain

Are you a teen or young adult between 17 and 25 years old, and do you have a toothache in the back of your mouth or jaw pain? If so, you may be suffering from wisdom tooth troubles. Although our ancient ancestors may have needed these additional pearly whites to replace molars that were injured or lost in their youth, today, they tend to create more problems than they resolve.

As a result, wisdom tooth extractions have become so common that many consider them a rite of passage. Continue reading to learn four potential causes behind your discomfort that might result in this procedure!

Culprit #1: Inappropriate Angles

In an ideal world, your jawbone would have just enough space for your wisdom teeth to grow straight through the surface of your gums without any issue. Unfortunately, the truth is that in many instances, they arrive crooked or try to erupt at an inappropriate angle. This can lead to growing pains and inflammation that won’t abate until the problem is resolved. Extracting the troublesome teeth removes the source of your discomfort.

Culprit #2: Impaction

Impaction is another common reason many people suffer soreness when their wisdom teeth arrive. If these molars become trapped in the jawbone or fail to clear the gumline fully, they can develop a hurtful cyst below the surface. Furthermore, they can be infected by bacteria in your mouth, leaving you feeling overly irritated. Often, patients with this condition must undergo a surgical extraction to have the underlying issue removed altogether.

Culprit #3: Cavities

Because human mouths today are smaller and rounder than the jawbones of our ancient ancestors, you might not have enough real estate available for your wisdom teeth. As a result, they might push their neighbors out of alignment in their struggle to erupt.

Overcrowded mouths are more prone to oral issues like tooth decay because it’s harder to reach all their surfaces to brush and floss them thoroughly. Cavities can form in your enamel, causing tooth or jaw aches.

Culprit #4: Gum Disease

Your gums are just as sensitive as your teeth, if not more so. If your wisdom teeth are pushing everything so closely together that you cannot floss, then you’re at an increased risk of gum disease. Although it starts small, if left unaddressed, it can result in receding gums, tooth loss, or enter the bloodstream, contributing to more serious health concerns.

Thankfully, having these troublesome teeth extracted usually takes care of the discomfort that they’ve caused!

About the Practice

At Bear Creek Family Dentistry, people of all ages benefit from a team of dental experts who work together to offer a full array of services from several convenient locations. Whether you need basic preventative services from a general dentist or have pain that requires an oral surgeon, they have someone on staff who can help. They take the time to get to know your unique concerns and goals and then provide fully individualized treatment plans to meet them. Then, they utilize state-of-the-art equipment to deliver accurate, long-lasting results. If you’re worried about wisdom teeth, you can request an appointment on the website or call (214) 333-3100.