Summary: Wisdom teeth start coming in during the late teens and early twenties, and the early signs include jaw pain, swollen gums, and discomfort. If wisdom teeth are impacted, meaning they can’t erupt out of the gum or bone properly, they can lead to infections, tooth shifting, and more serious oral health problems. A dental consultation is needed to help determine if removal is necessary to prevent complications.
Superhero key takeaways:
- Early signs of wisdom teeth coming in can include jaw soreness, swollen gums, and dull pain in the back of the mouth, often between the ages of 17-25.
- Impacted wisdom teeth can’t erupt properly and may cause severe symptoms like persistent pain, gum infections, swelling, headaches, and even shifting teeth.
- Not all wisdom teeth need removal, but if they are impacted, crowding other teeth, or causing repeated infections, a dental consultation is a must.
- During a consultation, you can expect x-rays, symptom assessment, and a personalized treatment plan to help ensure proactive care before issues worsen.
Has your teen complained of jaw pain or soreness at the back of their mouth? It could be one of the first signs of wisdom teeth coming in. As a parent, it’s entirely natural to wonder: are these normal growing pains…or something more?
In this guide, the Super Dentists will walk you through what to expect, how to spot the signs and symptoms of wisdom teeth coming in, and when it’s time to consult a dentist, especially if those teeth begin causing trouble.
What Are Wisdom Teeth, and Why Do They Cause Problems?
Wisdom teeth are your third set of molars that typically appear between ages 17 and 25.
While not everyone has them, most people will develop at least one. These molars helped our ancestors chew through raw, tough meat and plants in prehistoric times. But today? They’re more likely to overcrowd your mouth and create oral health issues than help with chewing.
Our modern jaws are also much smaller, meaning there’s often not enough room for our wisdom teeth to grow correctly. That’s where the risk of them becoming impacted grows.
First Signs of Wisdom Teeth Coming In
Recognizing the first signs of wisdom teeth coming in is an excellent, proactive step in helping your teen avoid discomfort and, possibly, future complications. Here’s what to look for:
- Mild jaw pain or tenderness toward the back of the mouth
- Red or swollen gums near their back molars
- A dull throbbing ache or pressure in the jaw or ear area
- Visible white spots (the tops of emerging teeth) poking through the gums
- Bad breath or odd tastes, which could be signs of trapped food or bacteria
These early symptoms can be easily overlooked as they may not be consistent. But if your child shows persistent discomfort or swelling, you could be dealing with something more serious: impacted wisdom teeth.
Why Are My Teen’s Wisdom Teeth So Painful Already?
This is a fantastic question and one we hear often from parents and teens alike. Pain from wisdom teeth can start even before the teeth break through the gums. This is due to the pressure they create as they push against surrounding teeth and bones.
In some cases, wisdom teeth create small pockets in the gum where bacteria love to hide, leading to pericoronitis infection. This can cause swelling, bad breath, and even fever.
Painful teeth and wisdom teeth should never be ignored by your teen. Early consultation can help prevent infections and avoid long-term damage to the surrounding teeth and jaw.
How Do I Know If My Wisdom Teeth Are Impacted?
While only dentists can definitively diagnose impacted wisdom teeth using either traditional or digital X-rays or digital imaging technologies like the CBCT (Cone-Beam Computed Tomography), there are a few common signs to keep an eye on at home:
- Is the pain getting worse, not better?
- Are the gums at the back of the mouth visibly red and swollen?
- Has your teen’s breath suddenly changed and worsened?
- Are they experiencing pain when chewing, yawning, or talking?
If you answered “yes” to any of these, this is your clear sign that there are wisdom teeth issues possibly impacted and that a dental consultation is the next right call.
Are There Other Impacted Wisdom Teeth Symptoms to Look Out For?
One of the most significant signs is that impacted wisdom teeth frequently create intense, consistent, and lasting pain more than usual after eruption. Here are a few more signs it’s time to schedule an appointment as soon as possible:
- The jaw pain begins radiating to the ear or neck
- The swollen, red gums near the back molars may bleed
- Persistent jaw stiffness and headaches in the morning
- Difficulty opening their mouth fully
- Visible crowding or their other teeth are shifting
- Recurring infections or cysts found in the back of the mouth
If your teen is experiencing any of these impacted wisdom teeth symptoms, it’s time to consult a dental professional. Left untreated, impacted teeth could lead to more severe complications later on.
How to Know if You Need Your Wisdom Teeth Pulled
If you’re here and wondering if your teen, or even: do I need my wisdom teeth removed? The answer is, well, complicated.
Not everyone will need them removed so long as the teeth come in straight, don’t crowd others, and aren’t causing pain and infection. If so, they may be safe to keep.
However, the only way to know for sure is, you guessed it—your dentist! In general, your dentists will suggest removal if:
- The teeth are impacted or growing at an angle
- They’re causing damage to your nearby, healthy teeth
- You experience persistent gum infections
- Cavities or cysts are forming
- They are causing you to have bite alignment issues
Are Impacted Wisdom Teeth Harder to Remove?
Unfortunately, yes, they can. Impacted teeth often require surgical extraction rather than a simple pull. Since our wisdom teeth are buried under the gum or the bone, it takes a bit more skill, time, precision, and care to remove them safely.
Thankfully, The Super Dentists use today’s most innovative dental technology. These new leaps in technology and dental health make this process much quicker and more comfortable.
Are My Wisdom Teeth an Issue?
If you are experiencing discomfort, pain, or swelling, or even unsure if something is normal, it’s worth checking out early. Early identification helps prevent major issues later, allowing you to enjoy more proactive, gentler care.
What to Expect During a Wisdom Teeth Consultation?
What happens when you schedule a consultation for wisdom teeth at The Super Dentists?
- X-rays to evaluate how the wisdom teeth are growing and whether they are impacted.
- Oral examination of the gums and surrounding teeth.
- A discussion about any symptoms your child may be experiencing.
- A custom treatment plan with flexible payment options, including whether removal is recommended and when.
- A walkthrough of the entire extraction process and what recovery would look like.
Not to mention, our dental Superhero team will make every second as wonderful and comfortable as possible, answering your questions and ensuring you and your teen feel safe, informed, and confident.
The Bottom Line? Don’t Ignore the Signs
Wisdom teeth don’t always arrive with so much drama, but when they do cause problems, it is best to act as fast as possible. Understanding the signs and symptoms of wisdom teeth coming in empowers you and your teen to take care of oral health before pain becomes hard to manage. If those third molars are causing discomfort or there are signs of possible impaction, don’t wait.
Why not come visit and see how we are reimagining dentistry for all stages of life? Please schedule a consultation for wisdom teeth evaluation at The Super Dentists and discover why our team is called Superheroes.
