Impacted Wisdom Teeth: What You Should Know

Wisdom teeth are the final set of molars that erupt in our gums. You can have up to four wisdom teeth, though some people only get one or two. They used to serve the purpose of helping us chew and grind down food for digestion, but modern humans no longer need them for this. Essentially, they’re fairly pointless for our dental health and are more likely to cause harm than good. 

The way wisdom teeth erupt and grow often leads to their impaction. Experts estimate around 90% of people have at least one impacted wisdom tooth. It’s a widespread concern, but what does it mean, and what should you do if your wisdom teeth are impacted? 

What Are Wisdom Teeth?

While some dentists refer to wisdom teeth as “third molars,” they are the final set of adult teeth to appear in your gums. You’ll find them right at the back of your mouth towards the end of your jawbone. When all four wisdom teeth grow properly, you will have one in each quadrant of your mouth.

Most wisdom teeth erupt between the ages of 17 and 25. They start growing and developing before this but won’t break through your gums until late adolescence or early adulthood. Sometimes, you may still see wisdom tooth eruption beyond your 25th birthday. It’s vital to maintain regular appointments with your dentist so they can assess the health of your wisdom teeth before and during their eruption. They may suggest ways to prevent complications or recommend having your wisdom teeth removed before they fully erupt, as it’s clear they will become impacted. 

What Does It Mean if Wisdom Teeth Are Impacted?

Suffering from an impacted wisdom tooth means the tooth has failed to erupt properly. It is trapped in your gums and jawbone and can’t grow out correctly. This causes significant pain and discomfort and typically happens when there’s not enough room in your mouth for these new adult teeth to come through. 

Impacted wisdom teeth are primarily categorized into the following types: 

• Mesial: The most prevalent impaction is when your wisdom tooth grows at an angle pointed toward the front of your mouth. 
• Distal: This type of impaction is the opposite of a mesial impaction and is the most unlikely to occur. Instead of the wisdom tooth angling toward your mouth, it angles backward.
• Horizontal: Some wisdom teeth don’t erupt at all and end up stuck beneath your gums on their side. This is usually the most painful of all wisdom teeth impactions, as the entire tooth is horizontally stuck and causes pressure on the adjacent teeth.
• Vertical: Your wisdom teeth are correctly aligned and ready to erupt, yet they don’t break through the gum’s surface. They stay stuck beneath the gumline.

Symptoms of Impacted Wisdom Teeth

How do you know if you have impacted wisdom teeth? Soreness is expected when these adult teeth erupt, as they have to break through your gums. Nevertheless, you should look for some more severe symptoms that could indicate your wisdom teeth are impacted and need to be checked by a dentist: 

• Extreme pain accompanied by swelling or redness around your jaw
• Gums that look excessively swollen are tender to the touch and bleed easily
• Chronic bad breath that usually comes with a horrible taste in the back of your mouth
• Difficulty opening your mouth wide or pain when chewing
• The feeling of pressure against your nearby teeth

Spotting these symptoms as early as possible ensures you can get your impacted wisdom teeth removed before they cause additional complications. Untreated impactions are highly common and lead to cysts and infections around the area. Depending on the type of impaction, you may also cause permanent damage to adjacent teeth. 

Diagnosing Impacted Wisdom Teeth

Clinical examinations and dental X-rays are the only ways to diagnose impacted wisdom teeth. That’s why regular dental check-ups are essential; your dentist can often spot the earliest signs of wisdom tooth impaction before you start showing any symptoms. 

The sooner you detect problems, the easier they are to deal with. Your dentist can schedule you for another X-ray to monitor the wisdom tooth’s growth and determine whether drastic measures are required. 

Treatment Options

Treatment for impacted wisdom teeth comes in stages: 

• Monitoring: Dentists can monitor the wisdom teeth and assess whether additional treatment is required. Some impacted wisdom teeth can be left alone if they do not cause pain or issues for the surrounding teeth. 
• Extraction: When a wisdom tooth is severely impacted and causing extreme pain, it must be removed from your mouth. Leaving it in will only cause more problems and can push your other teeth out of alignment. Wisdom teeth removal can be an easy process requiring minimal recovery time. 
• Surgery: Wisdom tooth extraction is a form of dental surgery, but extensive surgical procedures may be required in extreme cases. This is usually when there are problems with the jawbone or surrounding teeth. However, it’s highly unlikely to reach this point if you have regular dental checkups.

Recovery and Aftercare

Following impacted wisdom tooth extraction surgery, you will go through a brief recovery period. Your gums will experience decent swelling, bleeding, and pain for the next few days. Applying a cold compress and taking pain medication can help alleviate discomfort.

Switching to soft foods for at least a week is also advised, as opening your mouth and chewing will be difficult. Afterward, you can return to work or your daily routine within a week, and your mouth should fully heal in around six weeks. Recovering wisdom tooth extraction can be quick if dental care instructions are followed correctly. 

Wisdom Teeth Care in Blackfoot, Idaho

All adults will develop wisdom teeth, and there’s a chance all four teeth can erupt with no concerns. Most individuals will experience wisdom teeth problems or impaction, as it is highly common. If you notice any severe pain or swelling that doesn’t go away, contact a dentist for an evaluation.

Grove City Dental can help you with all your wisdom teeth concerns—from initial X-rays and checkups to impacted wisdom tooth extraction. Contact us today to learn more or to schedule an appointment.