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Jun 10, 2025
Wisdom teeth are the third molars or the farthest teeth in the jaw that appear in the later years. They are four in number and are positioned in pairs in the upper and lower jaws.
Some people may have fewer than four wisdom teeth or none at all. The third molars usually appear between the ages of 17 and 25 and may be perfectly aligned with other teeth. However, sometimes, get trapped under the gums and do not erupt completely.
These partially or completely trapped third molars are known as impacted wisdom teeth. These may or may not cause dental problems, but they are usually challenging to clean due to their uneven positioning.
Thus, they often develop cavities and affect other teeth. Here is everything you need to know about impacted wisdom teeth, including their symptoms, causes, and treatment. It can help you detect the problem and inform your dentist in Hope Island for quick treatment.
1. Impacted Wisdom Teeth
When wisdom teeth do not erupt completely or emerge in a crooked position, pushing against the adjacent tooth or the gums, they become impacted. These unevenly erupted teeth can also rub against the inner cheek walls, leading to cuts and ulcers.
Since they are awkwardly positioned in the mouth, normal brushing techniques do not clean them perfectly. It can lead to infections, pain and discomfort.
There are various types of impacted wisdom teeth, including mesial (angled towards the front), horizontal (erupting parallel to the jaw), vertical (erupting straight but does not have the room to come out), distal (angled towards the back) and bony (completely covered in the jawbone). Fully impacted wisdom teeth are not visible, while partially impacted wisdom teeth are partially visible.
2. Symptoms of Impacted Wisdom Teeth
Impacted wisdom teeth can be easily detected if the person experiences pain at the back of the mouth and in the gums. It can be accompanied by swelling of the jaw and inflammation of the gums.
According to expert Hope Island Dentists, symptoms can include gum bleeding, which is usually a sign of periodontitis. Other signs include bad breath, a bad taste in the mouth, pain in the jaw, and difficulty opening the mouth completely.
3. Causes of Impacted Wisdom Teeth
Most often, impacted wisdom teeth result from improper development due to a lack of space for the complete eruption of third molars. Another reason for this problem is the incorrect angle of eruption.
Wisdom teeth may start erupting sideways or at an angle that makes them push against the neighbouring tooth and cause pain. Impacted wisdom teeth are also caused by the development of more than 32 teeth in the jaw, leading to overcrowding and crooked growth of the wisdom teeth.
A dental X-ray can help diagnose an impacted wisdom tooth and determine the appropriate treatment for the problem.
4. Treatment of Impacted Wisdom Teeth
It is best to get impacted wisdom teeth examined by expert dentists in Hope Island for the right treatment. If the person is experiencing pain due to the misalignment of the third molars or has developed an infection, it is highly recommended to have the wisdom teeth extracted.
The tooth removal requires oral surgery, which is performed after administering anaesthesia and suturing the socket created after the extraction.
It is essential to follow the aftercare instructions after a wisdom tooth removal to avoid problems like a dry socket. It develops when the wound formed after the extraction is not healed due to low immunity or smoking.
Post-surgery care includes biting down on the gauze placed in the socket to stop bleeding and avoiding spitting and excessive rinsing. Dentists recommend a soft, mushy diet that is easy to swallow without chewing to avoid irritating the wound.
5. Risks Associated With Impacted Wisdom Teeth
Many people are scared of extractions and continue to bear the pain caused by impacted wisdom teeth. However, ignoring the problem can lead to serious consequences.
The most common issue associated with impacted wisdom teeth is damage to adjacent teeth. If infected, they cause decay in second molars or push them too far during eruption, altering their alignment.
In addition to cavities, impacted wisdom teeth can cause cysts. It occurs during the development of wisdom teeth in sacs when they are enclosed within the jawbone.
These sacs become filled with fluid, leading to cysts and damage to the jawbone and teeth. It can also turn into a noncancerous tumour, which requires the extraction of tissue and bone. Thus, dentists often recommend wisdom tooth removal as a preventive measure.
Since they are not cleaned properly, impacted wisdom teeth can also lead to gum disease, which can be both painful and damaging to other teeth. Wisdom teeth without symptoms may not need extraction if the risks of these problems are low.
However, they can become problematic in the later years and can be challenging to remove. Thus, many experts suggest extraction to prevent future dental problems.
Wrapping Up
Impacted wisdom teeth are a common problem in young adults due to incorrect eruption and a lack of space. If they are causing discomfort, it is best to visit your dentist and get them examined. Treatment may involve extraction, but it can help prevent more severe consequences.
