The last set of teeth in our mouth are called wisdom teeth, and doctors also call them the third molars. These teeth usually start to emerge from the gums between the ages of 17 and 25. For some people, they grow without any problems and line up nicely with the other teeth. However, for many people, these wisdom teeth become completely or partially impacted in the gums, and sometimes even become impacted in the jawbone (`(Impact)`), causing a variety of problems. Have you ever experienced pain or swelling due to a wisdom tooth? If so, this story will be very important for you.
What are impacted wisdom teeth?
Simply put, an impacted wisdom tooth is a tooth that has either not had a place to come out of the gum, or has come in the wrong way . Imagine, when all your other teeth are in order and holding space, this last wisdom tooth has no room to come out. That's when this tooth gets stuck inside the gum. This blockage can cause many oral health problems such as cavities (`(cavities)`), gum disease, and various infections (`(infections)`).
What is the difference between fully impacted, partially impacted, and unimpacted wisdom teeth?
This is very easy to understand.
- A fully impacted wisdom tooth is one that we can't even see inside our mouth. It's completely hidden under the gum.
- A partially impacted wisdom tooth is one in which only a small piece of the tooth has emerged from the gum, but not completely. These types of teeth are the ones that most often cause problems by getting food stuck in them.
- A non-impacted wisdom tooth is one that has completely emerged from the gum without any problems and is in line with the other teeth. However, it is important to remember that even non-impacted wisdom teeth can sometimes be difficult to clean, which can cause problems.
What are soft tissue impaction and hard tissue impaction?
You may hear these two words when you visit a dentist.
- Soft tissue impaction is when your wisdom tooth has come out of your jawbone, but it is stuck inside your gums, unable to break through the gum line. This means the tooth is still covered by gum tissue.
- Hard Tissue Impaction (`(Hard Tissue Impaction)`) means that the tooth is still completely covered by the gums and jawbone. This means that the tooth is still stuck inside the jawbone. This is a bit more complicated.
What types of impacted wisdom teeth are there?
There are four main types of wisdom teeth depending on how they are impacted. Think about it, these teeth can be tilted to one side or straight.
- Mesial Impaction: This is the most common type . The wisdom tooth does not come out straight, but is impacted to the side, as if it is leaning against the front tooth. This can cause pressure on the front tooth as well.
- Distal Impaction: This is the rarest type . The wisdom tooth is impacted towards the back of the mouth, towards the throat.
- Vertical Impaction: In this case, the wisdom tooth is in the correct position to come up, which is upright. However, it is still stuck under the gum. It seems like there is no way to come up.
- Horizontal Impaction: In this case, the wisdom tooth is completely turned to the side, stuck under the gum, as if it were sleeping. Horizontally impacted wisdom teeth are often painful because they put a lot of pressure on the teeth in front of them.
How common are impacted wisdom teeth?
This is more common than you might think. In fact, dentists say that nine out of every ten people have at least one impacted wisdom tooth ! That means it's a problem that affects a lot of people.
How do impacted wisdom teeth affect your oral health?
Impacted wisdom teeth can cause pain, infection, and damage to your other teeth . Imagine, even if you can clean your other teeth properly, you won't be able to brush your teeth properly. Food particles can get stuck there, causing bacteria to grow... which can eventually lead to tooth decay (a cavity) or gum disease. Not only that, but sometimes the impacted tooth can also damage the healthy tooth in front of you.
Can impacted wisdom teeth cause headaches?
Yes, in some cases it can. The pressure and pain caused by an impacted wisdom tooth can start in the jaw area, spread down the face, and sometimes even into the head . This means that if you have a headache that doesn't make sense, it's not impossible that an impacted wisdom tooth is the cause.
What are the symptoms of impacted wisdom teeth?
Sometimes impacted wisdom teeth can go for years without showing any symptoms. However, sometimes symptoms start to appear suddenly or gradually. See if you have these symptoms:
- Pain or swelling in the jaw or face.
- Gums are red, swollen, or bleeding.
- Feeling a bad taste in the mouth.
- Bad breath (`(Halitosis)`).
- Difficulty opening the mouth fully.
Important: If you have one or more of these symptoms, see a dentist immediately.
Why are these wisdom teeth getting impacted?
Most of the time, wisdom teeth become impacted because there is not enough room for the new teeth in addition to the other teeth in your jaw . One reason for this is that our jaws are a little smaller than our ancestors'. Sometimes, the tooth can also become impacted when it tries to come out at the wrong angle.
How do you know if your wisdom teeth are impacted?
To find out for sure, you need to see a dentist . He or she will examine your mouth and ask you about your symptoms. Then, you may be asked to take dental X-rays to see if your teeth are crowded or if there is damage to your jawbone or other teeth.
How to treat impacted wisdom teeth?
If your impacted wisdom teeth are causing pain, infection, or other dental damage , wisdom teeth removal (`(Wisdom Teeth Removal)`) is usually recommended . This is an oral surgery. Some dentists also recommend wisdom teeth removal as a preventative measure , before symptoms appear, to reduce the risk of future problems.
Is it painful to remove a stuck tooth?
Removing an impacted wisdom tooth can be a little more difficult than removing a regular tooth. However, it is not excruciatingly painful. Your dentist or oral surgeon will give you painkillers to help manage any post-operative discomfort. So there is nothing to worry about.
What are the risks and complications of wisdom teeth removal?
As with any surgery, there are some risks and complications that can occur when removing wisdom teeth. However, these are usually uncommon.
- Dry Sockets: This occurs when the blood clot that forms at the site of the tooth extraction after surgery breaks loose prematurely, exposing the underlying bone. You can reduce this risk by avoiding drinking through straws after wisdom teeth extraction.
- Infection: Sometimes bacteria, food particles, or debris can get stuck in the tooth socket, causing an infection. If this happens, the dentist will prescribe antibiotics.
- Damage to surrounding tissues: Sometimes, when wisdom teeth are removed, the nerves, jawbone, sinuses, or other teeth can be damaged. Although advanced surgical techniques have reduced this risk, it is still possible. If this happens, additional surgery may be required.
How long does it take to heal after wisdom teeth are removed?
Most people recover completely within a week or two after wisdom teeth removal. You should be able to return to work, school, or your normal activities within a few days. However, it is very important to follow your doctor's instructions exactly.
Can impacted wisdom teeth be prevented?
There's really nothing we can do to prevent wisdom teeth from becoming impacted. It's related to things like the size of our jaws. However, we can reduce the risk of problems caused by impacted wisdom teeth . The best way to do that is to practice good oral hygiene. Also, if problems start to occur, it's a good idea to consider having your wisdom teeth removed at a young age.
Do impacted wisdom teeth really need to be removed?
Even if your wisdom teeth are impacted and not causing any problems, pain, or swelling, you may not need to have them removed. However, if you start to experience symptoms, having them removed can reduce the risk of other problems and improve your overall oral health . Your dentist is the best person to make this decision.
What happens if an impacted wisdom tooth is not removed?
If your impacted wisdom teeth are causing pain and other symptoms, it's not good for your oral health to leave them unextracted. Impacted wisdom teeth are more likely to develop infections and abscesses . They can also damage healthy teeth, cause decay, and lead to gum disease.
When should you seek medical advice about impacted wisdom teeth?
If you have pain, swelling, or other unusual symptoms behind your last tooth, be sure to see a dentist . He or she can determine if your problems are caused by impacted wisdom teeth.
Take-Home Message
Impacted wisdom teeth are a common problem for many people. They can cause a variety of symptoms, including swelling, a bad taste in the mouth, and pain in the jaw and face. Wisdom teeth removal is a common oral surgery procedure. It can relieve your symptoms and reduce your risk of future oral health problems. If you have this problem, don't hesitate to talk to your dentist to determine the best treatment option for you . Everyone deserves a healthy smile!
` Wisdom teeth, impacted wisdom teeth, toothache, tooth extraction, oral health, dentist, Impacted Wisdom Teeth
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