Impacted wisdom teeth are third molars at the back of the mouth that don’t have enough room to emerge or develop normally. They are the last adult teeth to come into the mouth. Most people have four wisdom teeth, two on the top, and two on the bottom.
An impacted wisdom tooth can be painless. You may not even realize it’s there. However, when an impacted wisdom tooth tries to come in, the flap of gum on top of it can become infected and swollen. This can hurt. You might even feel pain in nearby teeth or in the ear on that side of your face. Other signs or symptoms you may experience are:
* Red or swollen gums
* Tender or bleeding gums
* Jaw pain
* Swelling around the jaw
* Bad breath
* An unpleasant taste in your mouth
* Difficulty opening your mouth
If the tooth continues to cause pain, is infected or interferes with nearby teeth, the usual treatment is to take it out.
Ian, the Mosman dentist. Dentist Mosman.
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