The Impact Of Impacted Teeth

THE IMPACT OF IMPACTED TEETH

When wisdom teeth cause problems, or an x-ray shows that they may be an issue in the future, they will need to come out. To fully understand the benefits of wisdom teeth removal, it helps to first understand the problems they can cause. Wisdom teeth that are painless and seemingly unobtrusive are easy to ignore, but even asymptomatic molars can wreak havoc on your gums and lead to periodontal disease. The following side effects are just a few of the common complications associated with impacted teeth.

• Pain in the jaw

• Damage to other teeth

• Bite problems

• Swelling in the jaw

• Inflamed and irritated gums

• Bleeding gums

• Foul-smelling breath

• Damage to surrounding structures

• Loss of gums and/or bone

We’ve put together some reasons that you need to know if you’re uncertain if your wisdom teeth should be removed:

• Inflammation and infection

Due to a combination of limited space and partial impactions, wisdom teeth often lead to gum inflammation. This can lead to painful gum disease or other health hazards. Recent studies show that once inflammation sets in, it’s very difficult to alleviate it. Often, it spreads to surrounding areas. When a tooth is partially impacted, a separation between it and the gums creates a breeding ground for bacteria, which dramatically increases the risk of infection.

• Overcrowding

When wisdom teeth erupt, they try to enter an already crowded area. With little room to move into, neighboring teeth are often pushed aside. The result is misalignment. Whether your beautiful smile is thanks to braces or genetics, wisdom teeth can undo a straight smile and completely unravel years of dental work.

• Damage to nearby teeth

While overcrowding is likely, wisdom teeth can do more to their neighbors than simply invade their space. In fact, they can damage the adjacent second molars by contributing to bone loss and cavities.

• Cysts or tumors

An impacted wisdom tooth can lead to tiny tumors or cysts in the jawbone, which can lead to joint pain that would require the assistance of a TMJ specialist and a variety of other treatments that  you would rather avoid.

• Difficult to keep clean

If you experience no pain or obvious complications with the arrival of your wisdom teeth, your future dental hygiene may still be at risk. More than likely, space is at a minimum, and it can be difficult to properly brush and floss around a wisdom tooth. Limited space and their hard-to-reach location make these teeth prime targets for cavities and plaque buildup.

CONSULT WITH YOUR ALL COUNTY ORAL SURGEON

While many individuals accommodate these teeth with no discomfort or issues, others experience complications that intensify with age. Without extraction, you may experience recurrent infections and pain that require extensive treatment options, medications and more. For peace of mind, speaking with your primary dental practitioner or one of our expert wisdom teeth oral surgeons. 631.752.1033