Are you struggling with tooth pain or discomfort at the back of your mouth? Impacted wisdom teeth may be the source of your woes, presenting a rite of passage that often accompanies its fair share of pain. These third molars usually erupt between the late teens and early twenties and can become problematic for many, necessitating removal. Detecting an impacted wisdom tooth early can save you from further pain, reducing the risk of infection and damage to surrounding teeth. Read our guide to discover the signs and symptoms of impacted wisdom teeth, understand the causes, and protect your oral health.
What are Wisdom Teeth?
Wisdom teeth mark the final set of molars, typically emerging in late adolescence or early adulthood. These molars present unique challenges due to their late arrival.
While most individuals develop four wisdom teeth, one in each corner of the mouth—two on the top and two on the bottom—some may go through life without their emergence or any problems during the eruption. Meanwhile, for others, they can cause complications and must be extracted.
What are Impacted Wisdom Teeth?
Impacted wisdom teeth occur when there is insufficient space in the jaw for these molars to fully emerge or develop normally. This can result in partial eruption, leading to pain, swelling, and an increased risk of infection.
Following are some of the problems associated with impacted wisdom teeth:
Crowding and Misalignment: Wisdom teeth can disrupt the existing alignment of teeth due to limited jaw space. The growth of wisdom teeth may push adjacent teeth, causing discomfort, pain, and misalignment.
Infections and Gum Disease: The partial eruption of wisdom teeth leaves a flap of gum tissue covering the tooth, trapping food particles and bacteria. This situation, known as pericoronitis, can cause infection, inflammation of the gums, pain, swelling, and difficulty eating.
Tooth Decay: Being situated at the back of the mouth, wisdom teeth can be difficult to clean, leading to plaque and bacteria accumulation. Over time, this can result in tooth decay and cavities.
Common Signs and Symptoms Of Impacted Wisdom Tooth
The signs and symptoms associated with impacted wisdom teeth can vary. Recognising them allows for timely intervention and treatment.
Some of the symptoms of an impacted wisdom tooth include:
Persistent Pain and Discomfort
Impacted wisdom teeth, attempting to emerge through the gum tissue, often result in consistent and throbbing pain. This occurs because of the pressure exerted by the wisdom teeth rubbing against the surrounding tissues and existing teeth.
Jaw Stiffness and Swelling
Wisdom teeth eruption can induce inflammation and swelling in surrounding tissues, leading to jaw stiffness and discomfort, making it difficult to open the mouth fully or chew.
Swollen and Tender Gum Tissue
As impacted wisdom teeth struggle to emerge, they can induce inflammation in the surrounding gum tissue. This leads to swelling and tenderness, creating a heightened sensitivity in the affected area.
Bacterial Pockets and Infections
The limited space for impacted wisdom teeth creates pockets between the teeth and gums. Bacteria and debris can get stuck in these pockets, increasing the risk of infection. These infections can escalate, causing further oral health problems and severe pain.
Development of Cysts
In some instances, cysts may form around impacted wisdom teeth. These cysts, fluid-filled sacs, pose a threat to the jawbone and surrounding structures. As cysts grow, they can damage the bone and compromise the integrity of neighbouring teeth.
Headaches and Sinus Issues
The location of upper wisdom teeth, close to the sinus cavities, can contribute to headaches and sinus issues. The pressure and irritation caused by the impacted wisdom teeth may manifest as headaches, jaw discomfort, or sinus pain.
The Impacted Wisdom Teeth Removal Process
The wisdom tooth removal process may vary depending on factors such as the tooth’s position, whether it’s impacted, and your overall oral health.
During the initial consultation, your dentist will take X-rays and perform a thorough oral examination to evaluate the position of your wisdom teeth. Your dentist will determine the best way to proceed with the extraction based on the extent of impaction and overall oral health. He will administer anaesthesia to ensure your comfort during the procedure. The type of anaesthesia used will depend on the complexity of the extraction.
If the tooth is impacted or hasn’t fully emerged, the dentist will make an incision in the gum to access the tooth and remove it. He will then gently rock the tooth back and forth to loosen it from the jawbone and surrounding tissues before carefully removing it. In some cases, stitches may be needed to close the incision. Your dentist will schedule a follow-up appointment to monitor your healing and ensure there are no complications. Recovery time varies, but most people can resume normal activities within a few days to a week.
Retain a Healthy and Vibrant Smile!
Don’t live with wisdom teeth pain. Extraction is often the most viable long-term solution for an impacted wisdom tooth. Pain management with medications, professional dental cleaning and at-home care can only provide short-term relief. If your wisdom tooth does not have room to grow, gets stuck in the gum or emerges at the wrong angle, it will continue to cause problems and persistent pain.
At Heathcote Dental Surgery, we understand the impact toothaches can have on your oral health and emotional health. As such, our gentle dentists assess the condition and location of your wisdom tooth to provide efficient treatment, ensuring your comfort and peace of mind. If you are struggling with a toothache or experiencing any symptoms of an impacted wisdom tooth, consult our friendly dentists without delay. We offer immediate treatment, removing the source of the pain and helping you move towards a healthier, pain-free smile.
