What Damage Can Impacted Wisdom Teeth Do?

The wisdom teeth typically begin to emerge at some point during the late teens or early twenties. Many people will be able to welcome their new teeth without any problems, but some others will not have enough room to accommodate them. If the wisdom teeth do not emerge properly, they become impacted, which leads to a range of unpleasant oral health issues. Here’s why it’s important to have impacted wisdom teeth removed right away.

Impacted Wisdom Teeth Hurt

Pain is the most common symptom of impacted wisdom teeth. If your mouth does not have enough room for this third set of molars, they can painfully crowd the other teeth as they emerge. This sharp ache can be constantly present in the back of the mouth and may even be felt in the jaw. While this discomfort can be temporarily addressed with over-the-counter pain medication, the wisdom teeth will have to be removed for the problem to be truly resolved.

Impacted Wisdom Teeth Can Damage Other Teeth

As the wisdom teeth crowd the rest of the smile, they push the other teeth out of their alignment, which is especially frustrating for those who put much effort into correcting their bites with orthodontic treatments. Food stuck between crowded teeth is harder to remove, and misalignment can make teeth harder to clean and easier to injure, which makes them more vulnerable to infections.

Impacted Wisdom Teeth Can Lead to Oral Infections

Since the wisdom teeth are located so far back in the mouth, they are harder to reach with cleaning appliances than the other teeth, which can lead to them becoming infected. While tooth decay is a common ailment, many people do not realize that leaving it untreated can allow it to spread to other teeth. Since cavities will not get better on their own, they require restorative dental treatments to be corrected.

To make matters worse, bacteria caught between the gum tissue and an impacted wisdom tooth can cause gum disease as well as bone erosion in the jaw. It’s much better to just have the impacted wisdom teeth removed before dental infections begin.

Your dentist will not recommend having your wisdom teeth removed unless they have an excellent reason. Having them extracted sooner can save you from a lot of pain and restorative dental work.

About the Author

Dr. Andrew Barnett earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh and completed his residency at the University of Michigan where he specialized in surgery. He is proud to be a member of the American Dental Association, the Texas Dental Association, and the American Academy of Periodontology. His office in Dallas, TX offers dental implant services, cosmetic periodontic treatments, and wisdom teeth removal. To learn more about why wisdom teeth are removed, contact his office online or dial (214) 691-2614.