It’s important to understand how wisdom teeth grow, when they show up, and the damage they can do to your mouth so you can do everything possible to prevent a wisdom tooth emergency. Here are some facts to know:

• Impacted wisdom teeth: Impacted wisdom teeth do not always break through the gums.
• Partially impacted wisdom teeth: If a wisdom tooth does erupt, it is called a partially impacted wisdom tooth.
• Eruption of wisdom teeth: Wisdom teeth that break through the gums often do so incorrectly. There isn’t enough room in the mouth for these teeth, so they erupt at an angle and cause extreme pain.
• Replacement of wisdom teeth: Wisdom teeth are the only teeth that, when extracted, do not need to be replaced.
• Symptoms of impacted wisdom teeth: Swelling, stiffness, jaw pain, infection, and sensitivity are all signs of an impacted or partially impacted wisdom tooth.

If you are experiencing any sudden pain, discomfort, or irritation in your mouth, contact your dentist right away. These symptoms could be an indication that your wisdom teeth are starting to make some moves and need to be extracted quickly before they can cause damage.