If a tooth does not have enough room to develop normally or emerge above the gumline, they are said to be impacted. Wisdom teeth are one of the most common teeth to become impacted. This can occur for a variety of reasons, including overcrowding or having a jaw that is too small. An impacted tooth will not necessary result in symptoms developing, but there is an increased risk of the tooth becoming infected and/or causing damage to other teeth. This is especially true for wisdom teeth, which are at an increased risk of gum disease and decay due to the difficulty of cleaning them. If this occurs, common symptoms include:
- Swelling around the jaw
- Jaw pain
- Difficulty opening your mouth
- Gums that are tender or bleed easily
- Gums that are swollen or red
- Halitosis (bad breath)
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms in the area of your third molar, schedule an appointment to determine if your wisdom tooth has become impacted. If so, it may need to be extracted.
When Should Wisdom Teeth Erupt?
Wisdom teeth typically emerge between the ages of 17-25. In some cases, wisdom teeth will emerge naturally, line up behind the second molars, and not cause any issues. Oftentimes, however, they become partially or fully impacted. The tooth may grow at a right angle to the other teeth, straight up or down but remain trapped within the jawbone, at an angle toward the second molar, or angled toward the back of your mouth.
Complications of Impacted Wisdom Tooth
If a wisdom tooth becomes impacted, several issues can develop in the mouth, including the following:
- Cysts:The sac within the jawbone in which your wisdom tooth develops can fill with fluid and form a cyst, which can damage the nerves, teeth, and jawbone. It is also possible (though unlikely) that a benign tumor may develop.
- Damage other teeth:An impacted wisdom tooth may push against the surrounding molar, which increases the risk of infection in that area and can cause damage and/or misalignment or crowding to occur.
- Increased Risk of Decay/Gum Disease:Impacted wisdom teeth are much harder to clean, which can increase the likelihood of food becoming trapped between the partially erupted tooth and gum. Partially impacted wisdom teeth are also at a higher risk of tooth decay compared to other teeth. If decay is left untreated long enough, gum disease may also develop.
Can I Prevent a Wisdom Tooth from Becoming Impacted?
Unfortunately, it is not possible to take any measures to prevent a wisdom tooth from becoming impacted. Although you cannot prevent the tooth from becoming impacted, you can ensure that you address the issue as soon as possible by scheduling dental appointments every six months. In addition to providing you with a deep cleaning, these appointments allow your dentist to monitor your wisdom teeth and take an X-ray examination to determine if any teeth have become impacted and address the issue before complications develop.
More on Wisdom Teeth : How Much Does Wisdom Tooth Extraction Cost?
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