Wisdom teeth, also called third molars, are the last to come out. They usually erupt between the ages of 17 and 25. While many wisdom teeth emerge without any problems, others may have issues that cause their teeth to become impacted. This dental problem can lead to several symptoms and pain. This blog post will discuss the signs and reasons for impacted wisdom teeth to help you learn more about this common dental problem.
What are Wisdom Teeth?
Before we get into affected wisdom teeth, let us look at what these back teeth are and how they work. The wisdom teeth are the back teeth, the third set of molars. Two on the upper jaw and two on the lower jaw make up the four wisdom teeth that most people have. When a person is between late puberty and early adulthood, these teeth erupt last.
What Causes Wisdom Teeth to Impact?
When there is not enough room for the wisdom teeth to fully emerge or form correctly, they become impacted. Several reasons can cause these teeth to become stuck:
Insufficient Space: One of the main reasons why wisdom teeth get stuck is that the jaw does not have enough room for them. Since these are the last teeth to come out, the jaw may already be crowded with other teeth, making it hard for the wisdom teeth to fit correctly.
Incorrect Alignment: If the wisdom teeth erupt at an angle or out of place, they might not come out all the way. Misalignment like this can happen because of genetics or how a person’s teeth are built.
Late Eruption: Wisdom teeth usually emerge later than other teeth, and by the time they start to come out, the teeth around them may have already settled in, leaving little room for the new molars.
Soft-Tissue Obstruction: Sometimes, the wisdom teeth cannot fully come in because a layer of gum tissue covers them. This can worsen the pain, swelling, and other problems with impacted wisdom teeth.
Signs and Symptoms of Impacted Wisdom Teeth
Learning the signs of affected wisdom teeth is essential for getting emergency dental Houston care immediately. While some people may not have any apparent symptoms, others may have a number of them, such as:
Pain: Pain is the most common sign that your wisdom teeth are affected. The pain could be mild to intense, and it could be in the back of the mouth or along the jawline.
Swelling and Redness: One of the most common signs of impacted wisdom teeth is swelling and redness around the affected area. In the worst cases, the redness can spread to the gum tissue around the tooth and the face.
Trouble Opening the Mouth: Wisdom teeth that are impacted can make it hard to open the mouth. This reduction in jaw movement can come with pain and stiffness.
Unpleasant Taste and Bad Breath: Wisdom teeth that are only partially erupted can leave pockets in the gums where germs and food particles can gather, causing bad breath and a persistently bad taste in the mouth.
Stiff Jaw: If your wisdom teeth are impacted, your jaw may become rigid, making it hard to chew or talk. The pain can make you feel bad and make it hard to do your everyday activities.
Headaches and earaches: If your wisdom teeth are affected, the pain can spread to other parts of your body and give you headaches and earaches. If the impaction is terrible, these signs may stand out even more.
Treatments Options
Talking to a dentist is very important if you have impacted wisdom teeth or are experiencing related signs and symptoms. The dentist will do a complete checkup that may include X-rays to see where the wisdom teeth are and determine the best way to treat the problem.
Monitoring: If the impacted wisdom teeth are not causing any pressing issues, the dentist may decide to keep an eye on them over time. Getting X-rays and regular checkups can help keep track of any changes and act quickly if needed.
Extraction: When wisdom teeth get stuck, extraction is the most common way to fix the problem. To do this, the affected teeth must be surgically removed. Wisdom teeth may need to be removed if they are painful, infected, or causing other problems.
Management of Pain: Before an extraction or if it cannot be done right away, dentists may suggest pain relief methods like over-the-counter painkillers or prescription drugs to make the patient feel better.
Cold Compresses: Putting cold compresses on the hurt area can help reduce swelling and ease pain. This easy home solution may ease the pain of impacted wisdom teeth.
Prevention Tips
It might not be possible to avoid getting impacted wisdom teeth, but there are steps people can take to lower their chance and deal with the symptoms:
Regular dental checkups: You should get regular dental checkups for your dentist to observe how your wisdom teeth grow and detect any problems early.
Dental X-rays: These images can tell much about where your wisdom teeth are positioned and aligned. With regular X-rays, dentists can find problems before they show signs.
Keep up with good oral hygiene: Regularly brushing, flossing, and using an antiseptic mouthwash are all examples of good oral hygiene that can help avoid infections and lower the risk of problems when wisdom teeth are impacted.
Early Action: If your doctor recommends you need to have your wisdom teeth removed, you should do it sooner rather than later. If you act quickly, you can stop signs and problems from worsening.
Wisdom teeth that are impacted can cause pain and discomfort, but with quick identification and the proper treatment, people can feel better and avoid more problems. Be sure to see your dentist if you think you have impacted wisdom teeth or if you are having signs that could mean you do. Regular checkups with the dentist and taking care of your teeth can help keep them healthy and ensure you can smile without pain.
