When you are 17 to 25 years old, your third set of molars or your wisdom teeth usually start to erupt in your mouth. Most people do not have enough room in their mouth to safely accommodate them or allow them to develop normally. When the tooth is stuck under the gums, partially under the bone or completely under the bone, it is referred to as impacted. When the teeth cant erupt normally, they can cause problems for the surrounding teeth. Unfortunately, there is nothing you can do to prevent impacted wisdom teeth, but you can monitor your wisdom tooth development by keeping your twice-yearly dental appointments.
Symptoms
There are not always noticeable symptoms you can track to determine if you have impacted wisdom teeth. But you will notice when the impacted wisdom teeth become infected, damage other teeth or cause other dental complications. Here are some ways to know if your wisdom teeth are impacted and need attention:
* Swollen gums
* Red gums
* Tender gums
* Bleeding gums
* Jaw pain
* Swelling around your jaw
* Halitosis
* Bad taste in your mouth
* Discomfort opening your mouth
Causes
Wisdom teeth are the third set of molars in your mouth and they arrive well after all the other teeth in your mouth have had a chance to set themselves in place. Some people have room in their mouth for more than 28 teeth, but most people do not. When the mouth is too crowded the wisdom teeth can’t develop normally causing them to be trapped or impacted. An impacted wisdom tooth can:
* Partially emerge from the gums
* Remain completely under the bone
* Grow at an angle toward the second molar or the back of the mouth
* Grow at a right angle as though it is lying down on the jaw bone
Complications
Untreated impacted wisdom teeth can cause more problems other than pain. They can cause:
* Damage to other teeth
The wisdom teeth can push against the second set of molars causing damage to the root of those teeth. The pressure against the other teeth can increase the risk of infection and the need for orthodontic treatment to restore teeth to their original position.
* Cysts
As a wisdom tooth develops in your jawbone, it develops in a sac. If the sac fills with fluid, the sac will turn into a cyst. The remaining cyst can damage the jawbone, teeth, and even the nerves in your jaw. The cyst can even turn into a non-cancerous tumor if it is left untreated. When a tumor develops, it will need to be removed and may require the removal of more tissue and even bone.
* Decay
When a wisdom tooth is left partially impacted, it is very susceptible to caries because it is difficult to clean and there are plenty of places for bacteria to thrive.
* Gum disease
The partially erupted wisdom teeth can allow for tooth decay as well as gum disease. Without the ability to thoroughly clean the tooth like the other teeth in your mouth, the area around the wisdom tooth can hold debris and bacteria. Without removing the buildup that happens throughout the day, the gums can become inflamed.