Warning Signs of Impacted Wisdom Teeth
Nicknamed for the fact that they come into your mouth and your life by the time you are mature and supposedly “wise”—wisdom teeth are simply the last set of molars that grow furthest back in your mouth. If you’re experiencing some specific pain in your gums and jaw, you may be wondering if you have impacted wisdom teeth. Calgary, Alberta dentists Dr. Clark Crawford and Dr. Nikla Reddy will tell you more about impacted wisdom teeth and what to do if you have them.
What are Impacted Wisdom Teeth?
Your wisdom teeth are the third and final set of molars you’ll get. They usually come in when you are between 15 and 25 years old; sometimes they appear later in life, and in rare cases, they never appear at all. When they do appear, there are usually four of them, although some people get only one, two, or three. As with other teeth, wisdom teeth are expected to break through the gums and become totally visible when they emerge. Each one may be partially erupted, erupted inside the mouth, or still located under the gum or bone tissue. When wisdom teeth remain deep in the jawbone or never break through the gums, they are impacted.
Have you ever tried to shove one last book into an already-full bookshelf? When your last set of teeth comes into a mouth that is already crowded, it’s a similar situation. There may not be enough room for the wisdom teeth to erupt completely. A wisdom tooth may remain impacted if it grows in twisted or sideways, or only part of the tooth comes in.
Impacted wisdom teeth can cause problems such as:
- Pressure on teeth so your bite becomes misaligned
- Pain and dysfunction in your mouth and jaw
- Inflammation and extra plaque buildup on a partially impacted tooth (when some, but not all, of the tooth erupts through the gum)
Some dentists prefer to remove wisdom teeth early to avoid any problems altogether. Early wisdom teeth removal can also mean easier recovery from the procedure.
Symptoms of Impacted Wisdom Teeth
Sometimes, wisdom teeth dwell peacefully in the jaw without issues, but here are some symptoms of impacted wisdom teeth to look out for:
- Irritated, red, swollen gums in the far back of the mouth
- Discomfort opening your mouth
- Jaw pain keeping you up at night
- Bad breath
- Bad taste when biting down
- Fever
How to Treat Impacted Wisdom Teeth
A dentist will confirm whether you have impacted wisdom teeth first by looking into your mouth and then taking x-rays. The teeth may not need removal or extraction, in which case you can take pain medicine and use some warm salt water rinse to soothe your gums. If an impacted tooth causes problems for the rest of your mouth or jaw, it’s likely the dentist will want to surgically remove it—this is called extraction. Wisdom tooth extraction can leave your mouth sore for a few days, so you’ll need to take time off work or school and eat only soft foods that are deemed safe by Calgary Dental House.
If you think you have impacted wisdom teeth, or if you have any other questions, we would love to see you soon! Put all that wisdom to good use and call us today to be proactive about your oral health. Now that’s a wise decision!
The content of this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.
Sources
https://www.caoms.com/procedures/surgery-oral-cavity-wisdom-teeth
http://healthydebate.ca/2015/10/topic/wisdom-teeth-removal-surgery-cost
https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/health-topics/tm6328
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