We all have wisdom teeth, typically wisdom teeth erupt and grow through during your early 20s. For some, you may not even notice or experience issues with wisdom teeth. For the majority, many people will need to have impacted wisdom teeth removed.
When our wisdom teeth erupt, we can’t control how they grow in or if there’s space for them. As they are the last of our teeth to come in, if there is little space for them, this causes them to grow through improperly. Causing what is known as impacted wisdom teeth.
Impacted wisdom teeth can cause pain and led to further dental issues if not treated quickly. The most common treatment for impacted wisdom teeth is extraction.
Symptoms of Impacted Wisdom Teeth
Usually, impacted wisdom teeth do not go unnoticed. If you’re experiencing pain, swelling in the back of your mouth or jaw, this could be caused by your wisdom teeth. The longer you put up with this pain, the more damage the wisdom tooth could be doing to your gums, nearby teeth and jaw.
Other symptoms to be aware of:
– Jaw tenderness and stiffness
– Redness in gums near to the wisdom tooth
– Bad breath
How to Diagnose Impacted Wisdom Teeth
The best method to accurately diagnose is to see a dental professional who will take x-rays to identify the location of your wisdom teeth. From here, they can see if the teeth are the cause for your pain and recommend the best treatment plan for you.
Impacted wisdom teeth can be classified into four categories:
Erupted – Where the wisdom teeth or tooth has grown through and can be seen. This is the easiest type of tooth removal as the tooth is already present in the mouth.
Soft-Tissue Impacted – This is where the wisdom tooth is trying to grow through but is stuck under the gum.
Partial-Bony Impacted – Here the wisdom tooth is still partially stuck in the jaw.
Full-Bony Impacted – Where the wisdom tooth is fully stuck in the jaw. This is the most complicated for a tooth removal.
It is important to tell your dentist if you experience any pain associated with your wisdom teeth. Your dentist will be able to monitor the growth and treat as necessary to avoid any nasty complications associated with impacted wisdom teeth.
If you ignore your pain for too long, wisdom teeth which have grown in improperly can lead to further complications such as:
– Pressure in the mouth can cause overcrowding of teeth which may need orthodontic treatment to straighten again
– Infections or cysts in the mouth
– Food and bacteria can get easily caught in partially or fully erupted teeth as they’re hard to clean. This can lead to decay.
– Difficulty eating and sinus issues due to the position of the tooth. It can create pressure which can cause sinus pain or headaches.
Treat Your Impacted Wisdom Teeth
If you’re struggling with tooth pain or symptoms associated with impacted wisdom teeth, you should make an appointment with your dentist. It’s best to catch and monitor the growth of your wisdom teeth before they create further issues. Often the best solution is wisdom teeth removal to help fully cure your pain and prevent any further complications.
If you’re experiencing pain and require an emergency dentist, please contact us on 02382 355 553 or email info@the247dentist.com. Alternatively, book a video dentist appointment for an online dentist appointment.