What is Wisdom Teeth?
Wisdom teeth are the third set of molars in the back of the mouth and the last teeth to grow in for adults, (Usually during early adulthood or late teen years (for most individuals, ages 17-25)
Wisdom teeth come out without a hitch for certain individuals. However, wisdom teeth could grow at the wrong angle for many others, or there is not enough room to accommodate them. This can lead to affected wisdom teeth if the wisdom teeth can not erupt through the gums.
Causes And Effects of Impacted Wisdom Teeth
If your wisdom teeth do not break through your gums, your wisdom teeth may be impacted in the jaw. They get caught in the gum line because your teeth can't fully cut through your gums. This can cause the rest of your mouth to suffer painful effects, often leading to inflammation, gum disease, and even headaches. Impacted wisdom teeth will force subtle movements of the teeth around them, throwing off the alignment of your other teeth.
Partly Impacted Wisdom Teeth
A wisdom tooth that splits only part-way through the gum is considered a partially impacted wisdom tooth. In the gum line towards the back of the mouth, a partially impacted wisdom tooth will trap food debris and bacteria. As it is difficult to see the back of the mouth and difficult to clean, this suggests that partially damaged wisdom teeth are vulnerable to infection. Infected teeth that are partially infected can cause the following complications:
- Bad breath
- Difficulty keeping your jaw open
- A jaw that is sore or swollen
- A rancid flavour in your mouth
- The gum is bleeding, swollen, or red
- Swollen neck lymph nodes
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Gingivitis
Due to plaque build-up, impacted wisdom teeth may cause gingivitis or inflammation of the gums. Signs include:
- Pus between the gums and wisdom teeth
- A pocket between the gums and the tooth
- Gums that are red, swollen, or bleeding
- Foul air, or halitosis
- Gums that are soft to the touch
- Receding gums that make the teeth seem longer
Cause Damage to the Other Teeth
Impacted wisdom teeth can cause shifting of your other teeth, making them more difficult to clean, which can lead to tooth decay for adjacent teeth and gum disease.
For example, even if wisdom teeth do not push all the way through the gum line, they can still push up against your molars' roots. They could drive your molars closer to your next set of teeth, causing them to become crooked and twisted.
If you have invested time and money on braces or another surgical treatment for teeth-straightening, any or all of the hard work can be erased by the complications caused by wisdom teeth.
If Ignored
It can be an extremely painful and unpleasant experience of having neglected damaged wisdom teeth that can get infected and affect the eating and consequently quality of life.
Consult Our Totally Teeth Dentists for Impacted Wisdom Teeth
