The wisdom teeth typically begin to emerge in the late teens or early twenties, and they often bring with them a plethora of oral health problems. Because of this, dentists often recommend having them extracted. Wisdom teeth are impacted if they do not properly emerge from the gums, making them more vulnerable to injury and decay that can jeopardize the health of the rest of the mouth. Here’s what you should know about impacted wisdom teeth, a few signs that you might have them, and what your dentist can do to help.
How Do Wisdom Teeth Become Impacted?
If a wisdom tooth fails to emerge completely from the gums or if it comes in sideways, it is considered impacted. This can cause the teeth to painfully grow into the jaw, crowd the other teeth out of alignment, or provide shelter for harmful bacteria that cause tooth decay and gum disease. Wisdom teeth that do not emerge properly are also harder to clean and easier to injure, making them more at risk of developing infections.
How Do I Know if I Have Impacted Wisdom Teeth?
Impacted wisdom teeth can show symptoms like:
- Swelling, bleeding, or tenderness in the gums
- Swelling in the jaw
- Jaw pain
- Pain around the back teeth
- Bad breath or an unpleasant taste in the mouth if tooth decay is present
- Difficulty with chewing or opening the mouth
How Can Impacted Wisdom Teeth Be Treated?
Wisdom teeth extractions are rendered painless by local anesthesia or IV sedation. The tooth may be removed in one piece or broken into pieces and removed piecemeal. You will receive detailed aftercare instructions when you leave the office, and strictly following them is the best way to make sure that the healing process goes smoothly.
Don’t let impacted wisdom teeth cause you chronic pain and oral infections. If you have any of the symptoms listed here, consulting with your dentist can determine if extraction is the best course of treatment.
About the Practice
South Florida Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery provides for the oral surgical needs of the community of Jupiter, Palm Beach Gardens, and Royal Palm Beach, FL. Led by Drs. Paul Weinstein, Travis Thompson, and Jeronimo Guzman, the staff treats each patient with the utmost compassion and stellar customer service. Areas of expertise include dental implants, corrective jaw surgery, and wisdom teeth extractions. If you are worried that your wisdom teeth have become impacted, contact the office online.