The teeth are perhaps one of the most ignored parts of the body…Until there’s a problem, that is! One such problem, with very uncomfortable symptoms, is impacted wisdom teeth. Makes you wonder how anything with the words “impacted wisdom” can be so terrible.
The pain of impacted wisdom teeth is usually enough for you to know that there’s something wrong. However, knowing the symptoms of this common oral health issue can help you identify the cause of the pain early.
For some people, impacted wisdom teeth symptoms may not be noticeable, while others may have obvious symptoms. This is why a regular dental checkup is important. You know what they say, you can trust Knight Street Dentists to always get to the root of the problem.
What Exactly is an Impacted Tooth?
This happens when the third molar (also known as the wisdom tooth) is ready to erupt, but there just isn’t enough space for it to emerge. As a result, the molar stays trapped within the jawbone (fully impacted) or grows sideways towards the next tooth or back of the mouth (partially impacted).
Not very wise for a wisdom tooth, right?
When this happens, the symptoms could be dire and result in serious complications. Thankfully, the dentists at Knight Street Dentists can help with that. We’re your friendly next-door dental clinic. With our team of certified professionals, you know you’re in good hands.
What Problems Can Impacted Wisdom Teeth Cause?
One little impacted wisdom tooth can cause several problems in the mouth. We don’t want to scare you, but let’s take a look at a few:
Damage to the other teeth
: Where the wisdom tooth is partially impacted, it exposes the other teeth to risk. Sometimes it pushes against the second molar, and this can damage the second molar.Overcrowding
: Because of overcrowding, your other teeth may become misaligned. This, in turn, would make chewing, opening, and closing your mouth a painful chore.Infection
: A partially impacted wisdom tooth increases the risk of infection to your second molar and other teeth. It’s difficult to clean and, as such, can cause plaque and tartar to accumulate. This can result in an infection, gingivitis plus more.Cysts
: Wisdom teeth develop in a sac within the jawbone. This sac can fill with fluid when a wisdom tooth becomes impacted, and therefore form a cyst. These cysts can cause pain, damage the nerves and adjacent teeth.Gum disease
: Because partially or fully impacted wisdom teeth are hard to clean, your gum can become inflamed. This condition is known as pericoronitis.Cavities and tooth decay
: Misaligned teeth are hard to clean and this creates a perfect spot for the collection of food and bacteria. This can result in cavities and tooth decay.Pain and sinus issues
: Imagine your tooth stuck in your jawbone, pressing on it and the nerves around it. That’s sure to cause a lot of pain and discomfort. Now, if the wisdom tooth is in your upper jaw, your sinus will also likely suffer, causing you serious headaches.
Signs And Symptoms Of Impacted Wisdom Teeth
You can tell when your wisdom teeth are coming in when you experience these signs and symptoms:
- Jaw discomfort and swollen gums: Wisdom teeth can cause jaw pain. If your jaw starts to get uncomfortable, stiff or difficult to open, you may have a wisdom tooth coming in. This can lead to swelling of the gums on the sides of your jaw.
- Bad breath and an unpleasant taste in your mouth: This is one symptom to watch out for! When you’re experiencing any of these, it could be wisdom teeth coming in. Quickly book in with us here at Knight Street Dentists so we can let you know how they are going and what treatment you may need.
- Sinus pain and pressure: One way to know if your wisdom tooth is coming in (on your upper jaw) is; pain in your sinus. This is because the impacted tooth pushes against the sinuses.
- Tender or bleeding gums and earaches are also signs you could be having problems caused by impacted wisdom teeth.
The moment you begin experiencing any of these symptoms, book in with us immediately. You don’t want the problem to get worse than it already is. Seeing the warm and friendly dentists here means you won’t be full of dread anytime you have to make an appointment.
Do I Need My Wisdom Teeth Removed?
Not all wisdom teeth cause or lead to problems. Therefore, they do not always need to be removed.
Back in the day, the practice amongst many dentists was to remove all wisdom teeth, whether or not they posed a problem. They believed that a wisdom tooth extraction was better, as a preventive measure.
However, for some, their wisdom teeth will eventually grow out properly and won’t need to be extracted. So, the more conservative approach would be to have the wisdom teeth removed only if they cause pain or problems. This saves you time, money and recovery!
However, this means that when a wisdom tooth begins to cause you pain, swelling, overcrowding or is partially or fully imparted, and we say it needs to be removed, please have it extracted.
Is It Necessary To Remove Impacted Wisdom Teeth?
An impacted wisdom tooth might not be problematic, but how long can it stay in for? It can stay in for weeks and months, even years, without any issues. But if you experience any problems, you may need to undergo surgery. The earlier, the better, and this is where regular checkups help.
Short-term solutions like antibiotics or saltwater wash can help relieve a painful wisdom tooth. However, a talk with one of our expert dentists will help you know the best treatment option to apply.
At Knight Street Dentists, we know how to allay your fears and give you the best treatment. We recommend an impacted wisdom teeth removal procedure if they are unable to erupt and continue to cause you pain.
Why Choose Us for Your Wisdom Teeth Removal?
At Knight Street Dentists, we are not your regular dentists. We’re better. Where else would you find fun and professional dentists? We believe that regular visits to the dentist don’t have to be a scary ordeal. You and your kids can look forward to every visit, even a wisdom tooth extraction!
Our friendly, fun-loving, and approachable specialist team is dedicated to caring for you and your family’s oral health. We provide exceptional, loving dental care to our patients in the Shepparton region.
After chatting us you simply won’t be able to stop smiling. It’s hard not to see why our patients love us.
