What is an Impacted Wisdom Tooth?
An impacted wisdom tooth is a tooth that has not erupted or come through the gum line into the mouth. Impacted wisdom teeth can cause pain, infection, and other dental problems.
An impacted wisdom tooth is the one that does not have enough room to break through the gum or is stuck under it. Wisdom teeth come in different variations, but when one becomes impacted, it can remain blocked and never “erupt.” Impacted wisdom teeth are more prone to decay and diseases and generally cause pain.
Symptoms of an impacted wisdom tooth include gum inflammation, swelling, bleeding from the gums, or pus coming out of the corner of your mouth. The cause of an impacted wisdom tooth typically comes from chewing too vigorously on hard foods such as ice or sugary items like candy, grinding teeth together, or sudden changes in routine that upend the balance of minerals in your mouth.
Treatment for an impacted wisdom tooth includes antibiotics if there is significant bacteria present and a course of X-rays to determine whether it’s healthy enough to be removed by surgery without damaging neighboring teeth.
Causes of Impacted Wisdom Teeth
There are several reasons why wisdom teeth may become impacted. In many cases, the mouth is too crowded, and there isn’t enough room for them to grow normally. Wisdom teeth cannot develop properly if they’re not given enough space in the jawbone, so they often become impacted.
In some people, wisdom teeth emerge without any problems and line up behind the second set of molars. However, in other cases, they can grow in an irregular direction or at an angle towards their ‘wisdom-teeth.’ This is called impaction.
The most common cause of impacted wisdom teeth is a dental infection. If bacteria get trapped near the tooth’s roots, it can cause swelling, pain, and other reactions in the jaw area. Impacted wisdom teeth are also more prone to gum disease and cavities.
Symptoms of Impacted Wisdom Teeth
These are the common impacted wisdom teeth symptoms. If you are experiencing any of the following, it is important to see a dentist as soon as possible:
- Swollen gums
- Jaw pain
- Unpleasant taste in your mouth
- Pain when chewing
It is also important to pay attention to the mouth when pain is experienced, as an impacted wisdom tooth can become infected and cause damage to other teeth and areas of the mouth. Impacted wisdom teeth typically emerge between 17-and 25 years old, so if you have not yet experienced any of these symptoms, keep an eye out in the coming years.
Wisdom teeth usually emerge between 17 and 25 years old. If they do not have enough room to grow properly, they may become impacted, leading to several problems like infection and damage to other teeth. Symptoms of impacted wisdom teeth include swollen gums, jaw pain, unpleasant taste in your mouth, and chewing pain. Keep an eye out for these signs so you can get treatment as soon as possible!
Treatment for Impacted Wisdom Teeth
If you have an impacted wisdom tooth, your dentist will likely recommend extraction as the best treatment option. The dentist will break up the tooth into smaller pieces to be removed. After a wisdom tooth extraction, you may experience mild painkillers to relieve post-surgical pain and discomfort.
Impacted Wisdom Teeth Removal
Do all wisdom teeth need extracting?
However, this is not always the case. Therefore, it is important to speak with your dentist to determine if your wisdom teeth do, in fact, need to be extracted. In some cases, they may only need to be cleaned and monitored.
This can cause pain, gum disease, and even tooth decay. In addition, impacted wisdom teeth are more likely to require extraction than those not impacted.
They will be able to determine if extraction is necessary and help you make the best decision for your individual situation.
What to expect at the dentist
You can expect a thorough examination of your teeth and gum and cleaning if needed at the dentist. You may also need dental work such as a filling, root canal, or crown.
They will then incise the gum tissue and remove the tooth or teeth. The dentist may also need to remove some bone tissue surrounding the tooth or teeth. Finally, sutures (stitches) will be used to close the incision. If you are having multiple teeth extracted, general anesthesia may be recommended.
The swelling usually peaks within 48 hours of surgery and should begin to subside within a week. Discomfort can be controlled with over-the-counter pain medications, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol).