Ouch! It’s been several weeks but that nagging ache in your mouth won’t go away. As a matter of fact, it’s getting worse. Your gums or jawbone may feel tender, and perhaps you’ve started developing headaches.
You’re probably wondering, “What is causing this pain? And how can I make it go away — quickly?”
The culprit could be an impacted tooth. Impacted teeth fail to emerge, or emerge only partially into the mouth. This could be because the upper or lower arch of teeth is overcrowded and the incoming tooth does not have room to fully pass through the gums. Or, perhaps the tooth has become twisted or tilted, preventing it from growing normally. It’s quite common to have impacted wisdom teeth (i.e., the third molars in the back of the mouth) since they are the last teeth to emerge.
Here are a few signs you have an impacted tooth:
• Your gums are red or swollen.
• Your gums or jawbone ache or feel tender.
• You have bad breath.
• You have prolonged headaches.
• The lymph nodes near your neck are occasionally swollen.
• You notice a visible gap where your tooth hasn’t emerged.
It’s important to note that experiencing one or more of these symptoms does not mean that you absolutely, positively have an impacted tooth. Bad breath may be caused by periodontal disease, acid reflux or simply eating too much garlic. Headaches may be stress-related and swollen lymph nodes may be caused by a winter cold. Instead of jumping to conclusions, schedule an appointment with your dentist so he can examine your mouth and diagnose any problems.
In some cases, impacted teeth are painless and do not cause any symptoms at all; they are detectable only through a professional dental examination and dental X-rays. This is why it’s important to see your dentist regularly — he or she can see things you cannot.
Impacted Tooth Removal
If you have an impacted tooth and it is causing pain or complications, it should be surgically removed by an Orlando oral and maxillofacial surgeon. Dr. Ronald Trevisani is one of the Orlando area’s most respected board-certified oral surgeons and has many years of experience removing impacted teeth. He strives to make the experience as pain-free as possible. Contact him for a consultation today.