Posted by The third and final set of molars in the mouth, known as wisdom teeth, are the last set of permanent teeth that adults obtain, typically in their late teens or early 20s. Normally, there are two upper and two lower wisdom teeth. While some wisdom teeth erupt without any problems, some are problematic and may require removal or other treatment. Check out how impacted wisdom teeth affect oral health.
WHAT IS AN IMPACTED WISDOM TOOTH?
A wisdom tooth that is impacted is one that is either lodged under the gum or does not have enough room to break through it. There are various types of impacted wisdom teeth. All of these impacted wisdom teeth types affect oral health. Some never ‘erupt’ or surface because they are fully blocked by the gums, jawbone, and adjacent teeth. Sometimes they just partially penetrate, opening a doorway for bacteria that cause infections, resulting in painful infections and consequences.
Wisdom teeth that are fully impacted are not visible. A wisdom tooth that is partially impacted can be seen because part of it has partially erupted. Wisdom teeth that are not impacted have fully erupted and are visible above the gum line.
WHAT CAUSES IMPACTED WISDOM TEETH?
Wisdom teeth often get impacted because there may not be enough room in the jaw for the teeth. Sometimes, a tooth will erupt at the wrong angle, which will result in an impacted tooth.
SYMPTOMS
Numerous problems may result from an impacted wisdom tooth. While some individuals with impacted wisdom teeth won’t have any symptoms at all, others may have serious problems. Symptoms include
- Pain in the jaw
- Swollen Jaw
- Bad breath
- Damage to adjacent teeth
- Gum disease
- Infection
- Red, swollen or bleeding gums
- Difficulty opening the mouth
- Bad taste in the mouth
- Unpleasant taste in the mouth.
COMPLICATIONS OF IMPACTED WISDOM TEETH
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GUM DISEASE
Pericoronitis, a painful, inflamed gum condition, is more likely to develop there because cleaning the impacted, partially erupted wisdom teeth becomes difficult.
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CROWDED TEETH
When wisdom teeth try to erupt, they might actually push the adjacent teeth. This may force adjacent molars out of position and cause severe crowding, which may result in a number of problems, including a misaligned bite, trouble brushing, flossing, gum disease, and infections.
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DECAY
Wisdom teeth that are partially impacted seem to be more susceptible to dental decay than other teeth. This most likely happens because wisdom teeth are more difficult to clean and because food and bacteria can easily get stuck between the gum and the partially erupted tooth.
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TOOTH PAIN
When teeth push against each other because of an impacted tooth, it can hurt terribly. This discomfort could either stay localized or start to spread.
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DAMAGE TO OTHER TEETH
The second molar may become damaged or become more susceptible to infection if the wisdom tooth pushes up against it. Additionally, this pressure may result in other teeth crowding or necessitate orthodontic treatment to realign them.
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CYSTS
A cyst may occasionally develop on impacted wisdom teeth in extremely unusual circumstances. A sac, which is found inside the jaw’s interior, is where wisdom teeth develop. As soon as the wisdom teeth are impacted, the sac may irritate, fill with fluid, and develop a cyst as a result. These growths may harm nearby teeth and nerves, resulting in tooth pain.
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ULCERS
Impacted wisdom teeth that are growing in the wrong direction might rub against the cheek, resulting in pain and potentially the development of ulcers. Even though these ulcers typically go away with time, they can be very painful and might recur if the tooth is not extracted.
TREATMENT FOR IMPACTED WISDOM TEETH
A panoramic X-ray is useful for identifying wisdom teeth that have become impacted. A dentist can spot them and take action to treat them before they deteriorate and start to cause debilitating pain. Warm salt water or painkillers may be used to treat minor irritations caused by the impacted wisdom tooth. But if the discomfort caused by an impacted wisdom tooth persists or continues recurring, extraction of the tooth is usually the recommended course of action.
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Read to Know: How Good Dental Health Is the Key to Overall Health?