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  • Impacted Wisdom Teeth

Erupting and Impacted Wisdom Teeth

The impacted wisdom teeth are the third molars on the back of the mouth that do not have enough space to emerge or develop normally. Dr. Uyen Hoang, the best dentist in Bethlehem, GA, shares everything you need to know about impacted wisdom teeth below. 

Wisdom teeth are the last adult teeth to get into the mouth (erupt). Most people have four wisdom teeth at the back of their mouth—two at the top, two at the bottom.

Impacted wisdom teeth can cause discomfort, damage to other teeth, and other dental problems. In certain cases, the damaged wisdom teeth do not cause any obvious or immediate problems. But since they are hard to clean, they may be more vulnerable to dental decay and gum disease than other teeth. If you think you may have impacted wisdom teeth, call our Bethlehem dental office immediately. 

Symptoms

Wealth-impacted teeth that cause discomfort or other dental problems are usually removed. Some dentists and oral surgeons also prescribe the removal of damaged wisdom teeth that do not cause symptoms to prevent potential complications. The affected teeth of wisdom do not always trigger symptoms. However, if the affected wisdom tooth is contaminated, damages other teeth, or causes other dental problems, you can experience either of the symptoms. We connected with Dr. Cody Boals, emergency dentist Colorado Springs, to come up with the most common symptoms below:

  • Red or swollen chewing gum
  • Blood or soft gums
  • Jaw’s suffering
  • Swelling around the jaw
  • Poor breathing
  • An unpleasant taste in the mouth
  • Difficulty in opening mouth
  • Wisdom teeth (third molars) are affected because they do not have enough space to come in (erupt) or grow normally.

Wisdom teeth typically appear between the ages of 17 and 25. Some people have wisdom teeth that turn up without any complications and line up with the other teeth behind the second molar. In certain cases, though, the mouth is too crowded to grow normally with third molars. These crowded third molars are stuck (impacted).

Impacted Teeth

An impacted wisdom tooth may emerge partly so that some of the crowns are visible (partially impacted) or may never break through the gums (fully impacted). Whether partially or completely affected, the tooth may:

  • Grow at the angle of the next tooth (second molar)
  • Develop at the angle of the back of the mouth.
  • Develop at the right angle to the other teeth, as if the wisdom tooth were “laying back” inside the jawbone.
  • Grow up or down like most teeth, but remain stuck within the jawbone.

    The impacted teeth of wisdom can cause many problems in the mouth. Our Bethlehem dentist explains that this pressure can also cause issues with crowding the other teeth or may require orthodontic treatment to straighten the other teeth.            

Possible Complications

The wisdom tooth grows inside the jawbone in a jar. The bag will be filled with fluid, creating a cyst that can damage the jawbone, the teeth, and the nerves. A tumor—usually non-cancer (benign)—rarely grows. This complication can involve tissue and bone removal. Partially damaged wisdom teeth tend to be at greater risk of tooth decay (caries) than other teeth. This is possibly due to the fact that wisdom teeth are harder to clean and that food and bacteria are easily stuck between the gum and a partially erupted tooth. The difficulty of cleaning infected, partially erupted wisdom teeth increases the risk of developing a painful, inflammatory gum condition.

Preventing

You can’t prevent the effect from happening, but having daily six-month dental appointments for cleaning and testing makes it possible for your dentist to track the growth and development of your wisdom teeth. Regularly updated dental X-rays can suggest affected teeth of wisdom before any symptoms develop.

What to Do 

You can’t prevent the wisdom teeth from erupting or becoming impacted, but having daily six-month dental appointments for cleaning and testing makes it possible for your dentist to track the growth and development of your wisdom teeth. Regularly updated dental X-rays can suggest affected teeth of wisdom before any symptoms develop.

Come See Gentle Dental Group Today

Think you may have impacted wisdom teeth? Contact see Gentle Dental Group today. Our experienced and gentle team would love to help you get your mouth back on track.