Being the last to arrive, wisdom teeth can make a dramatic entrance—and not in a good way. Around 80% of people experience issues and need them removed. Here are three warning signs of an impacted wisdom tooth, and what you should do to seek treatment before it threatens your smile.
But first, what is an impacted wisdom tooth?
An impacted wisdom tooth occurs when a third molar doesn't have enough room to emerge and develop normally. The tooth becomes trapped and either never erupts through the gums (fully impacted), or partially erupts to expose the crown (partially impacted). Whether fully or partially impacted, the tooth will usually grow on the wrong angle or remain trapped in the jawbone. If left untreated, it can lead to some serious issues:
- Damage to surrounding teeth
- Teeth crowding that may require orthodontic treatment
- Cysts that can damage the teeth, nerves and jawbone
- Tooth decay
- Gum disease
The signs of an impacted wisdom tooth
Some people with an impacted wisdom tooth experience no symptoms. However, when the tooth becomes infected or begins damaging the surrounding area, here are three warning signs you might experience.
Jaw and facial pain
This is the most common and obvious symptom of an impacted wisdom tooth. With no room to grow, the impacted tooth puts pressure on the surrounding area. This can cause dull or aching pain in the back of the jaw, difficult jaw movement and irritated gums. The extra pressure can also trigger earaches, headaches, neck and facial aches and even sinus pain.
Swollen or bleeding gums
Most of us have experienced the normal discomfort of a tooth erupting. But when the pain becomes intolerable and your gums are swollen and bleeding towards the back of your mouth, you may have an impacted wisdom tooth. This is more common with partially erupted teeth that are difficult to clean, becoming the ideal place for bacteria to thrive.
Bad breath or unpleasant taste
If you experience bad breath or a foul taste in your mouth, no matter how many times you brush your teeth, you may have an impacted wisdom tooth. This is also more common with partially erupted teeth that easily accumulate bacteria and food debris, leaving quite the stench.
What you can do about it
Unfortunately, there’s no way to prevent an impacted wisdom tooth. However, you can look out for symptoms and ask your dentist for a check up. We recommend wisdom teeth assessments at around 17 to 21 years of age—when wisdom teeth extraction is the easiest. They can be removed in adults, but recovery can take longer.
If you suspect you or your child has an impacted wisdom tooth, or you’re due for a check up, book an appointment with our dental specialists today. At Australia Fair Dental Care, our expert team will investigate and advise you on the best treatment options. For complex cases, we may refer you to our partnering wisdom teeth specialists in the area.