While any tooth can become impacted, wisdom teeth are particularly susceptible to the condition because of their placement at the back of the gums. Impacted wisdom teeth do not always lead to any apparent symptoms, but if complications arise, there are a few tell-tale signs to watch for.
What is an impacted wisdom tooth?
When any one or more of a person’s third molars – most commonly known as the wisdom teeth – get stuck below the surface of the gum and are unable to erupt, they are described as impacted. This generally occurs because of a lack of space; the wisdom teeth become tilted or twisted as they start to emerge; or they are blocked by other teeth.
If a person isn’t experiencing any symptoms, then he or she might not even realize they have impacted wisdom teeth except via an X-ray image. Other times, the signs are easily detectable, especially when an impacted tooth or the surrounding gum gets infected.
What are the signs?
The most common symptoms of an impacted wisdom tooth include: bad breath; an unpleasant taste in the mouth, especially when biting down; swelling or pain around the jaw; and red, swollen, tender or bleeding gums. Particularly if these symptoms are manifesting in the area behind the second molar, it is good to see a dentist about the possibility of impacted wisdom teeth.
Other symptoms that are less common include: difficulty opening the mouth; a prolonged and unexplainable headache or ache in the jaw; a sore throat; and swollen lymph nodes in the neck, according to Medline Plus.
In cases where a wisdom tooth has only partially emerged, pericoronitis can occur.
“A partially emerged tooth can trap food, plaque and other debris in the soft tissue around it, which can lead to inflammation and tenderness of the gums and unpleasant mouth odor,” Medline Plus states. “The retained debris may also lead to the decay on the wisdom tooth or the neighboring tooth.”
Having an impacted wisdom tooth sometimes can result in damage to other teeth, a higher vulnerability to gum disease and tooth decay and other dental problems, according to the Mayo Clinic. Potential long-term complications include: infection (or gingivitis), a cyst in the soft tissue beneath the gum line, abscess of the tooth or gum area, malocclusion of the teeth and chronic mouth discomfort.
Make a visit to the dentist
When complications arise or an impacted wisdom tooth is causing blatant discomfort, the tooth often is removed. Even when the condition is asymptomatic, some dental care professionals still recommend extracting the impacted tooth or teeth to prevent problems in the future.
The benefits of prophylactic removal of impacted wisdom teeth are inconclusive, but the majority of medical professionals concur that extracting impacted wisdom teeth when they lead to complications is advisable. If a person is experiencing any of the above signs or symptoms, it is worth a trip to the dentist to have the situation checked out.
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