During the development of wisdom teeth, it is a good idea to have them monitored by a dentist. Doing so allows early detection of wisdom tooth conditions and prevents the likelihood of pain and infection.

Dentists screen wisdom tooth development through dental X-rays and imaging. Bone structure and dental form are evaluated to see the angle at which the wisdom teeth are growing and identify early signs of impaction or risk of infection.

If individuals neglect dental check-ups and dental care they can find their chances of impaction and/or infection to be higher. Poor dental hygiene also contributes to wisdom teeth infection, particularly as these teeth are located at inconvenient areas at the back of the jaw, which are often neglected during teeth brushing or flossing.

When the infection has an impact on gum tissue or the wisdom tooth socket, pain can be felt through the jaw and this may cause headaches and fever. An abscess or cyst can also form and lead to the need for emergency dental treatment.

If treatment is not undertaken the infection may lead to tooth decay and gum disease. Jaw disorders can also develop which could require extensive orthodontic treatment or surgery. Early treatment removes the infection, stops pain and prevents further development of the condition.