What are Impacted Wisdom Teeth?
Wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, are teeth at the back of the mouth—usually the last adult teeth to come in. They become impacted when they don’t have enough room to develop or fully emerge.
Because of their location, they are often difficult to reach and therefore difficult to clean. This makes them vulnerable to decay and the surrounding areas prone to gum disease.
Often times impacted teeth are deep into the jaw without a fully exposed surface, making them even more difficult to brush and keep clean.
Impacted wisdom teeth are often very painful, even more so than regular wisdom teeth can be. These impacted teeth are known to cause infections, damages to other teeth, and further dental issues.
Signs of Impacted Wisdom Teeth
If you think any of your wisdom teeth may be impacted, there are a few signs to look for. Impacted wisdom teeth often lead to:
- Swollen, tender, or bleeding gums
- Jaw pain or swelling around the jaw
- Bad breath
- Stiffness in your jaw or difficulty opening your mouth
- A bad taste in your mouth
In some rare cases, impacted wisdom teeth will not show any symptoms. Whether or not they are painful, they can still have bad side effects.
What Causes Impacted Wisdom Teeth?
Impacted wisdom teeth become impacted when they don’t enough space to erupt. This can lead them to grow in at strange angles. They can grow into other teeth, leading them to move teeth around in your mouth, causing the need for orthodontics. In some cases, impacted wisdom teeth can grow at an angle that essentially has them lying down on the jawbone. They can also get trapped within the jawbone. When this happens, it causes jaw problems and soreness.
What to Do When Your Wisdom Teeth are Impacted
Impacted wisdom teeth should be dealt with as soon as possible. When left untreated they can lead to cysts along the jawbone, tooth decay, gum disease, or damage other to teeth. Unfortunately, impacted wisdom teeth are not preventable, but you can treat them before they get worse or cause more damage. The impaction will not go away and will likely only worsen.
If your wisdom teeth have come in and you have not gotten your wisdom teeth out yet, come see us at Oral and Facial Surgery of Utah. Our team of experts will work with you to ensure that your wisdom teeth are removed as quickly and painlessly as possible. Putting off taking out your wisdom teeth can lead to many other complications. Getting your wisdom teeth out does not need to be such a painful process. While impacted wisdom teeth can be more difficult to remove, our team of skilled surgeons are pros at making the process as painless as possible. Come in to get a consultation for your wisdom teeth today!