Impacted Wisdom Teeth – Unable to Break Through the Gums

Wisdom teeth cannot fit in the mouth. Four of your adult teeth are wisdom teeth. These teeth erupt after the second molars are already set in the back of the mouth. Because of this, wisdom teeth do not erupt the right way. Some of them cannot even break through the gums. If you want to know more about impacted wisdom teeth, here are the details.

What impacted wisdom teeth are

Once the third molars come out, the patient experiences ear pain and swelling. Infections and overcrowding also happen. Impacted wisdom teeth do not break through the gumline. The teeth often come out at the wrong angle or even sideways. Other wisdom teeth do not erupt fully. This type of situation affects the neighboring teeth.

Bacteria collect in and around teeth that remain under the gums. This leaves the patient susceptible to infection. Many people endure impacted wisdom teeth. Some dentists do not extract them as long as the patient practices good oral hygiene. Others extract the third molars if the impacted teeth are going to cause damage to the neighboring teeth.

Symptoms

Impacted wisdom teeth result in pain. The patient also experiences pressure and overcrowding. This increases the patient’s need for orthodontic treatment in the future. The teeth may also grow into a fluid-filled sac inside the jawbone. This creates a cyst that can damage the jawbone, nerves, and neighboring teeth.

Infection in the second molars and other teeth may also form. The patient also experiences headaches, bad breath, and a bitter taste in the mouth. There may also be bleeding gums, swollen gums, and a swollen jawbone. If the dentist does not treat the wisdom teeth soon, complications may arise. Examples of these are cellulitis and gingivitis.

Treatment

The dentist may prescribe pain relievers and antibiotics. An antibacterial mouthwash like chlorhexidine can support oral antibiotics. Gargling a mixture of warm water and a teaspoon of salt many times a day can reduce inflammation and soreness. If the pain and swelling return, the dentist will remove the impacted wisdom teeth.

The dentist needs to remove the teeth if it causes damage to the jawbone and other teeth. A dental X-ray will allow the dentist to see how the roots of the teeth are developing. The dental procedure can happen in the dental clinic or at a nearby hospital. Before the dentist starts, the patient will receive an injection of local anesthesia at the back of the mouth. The dentist will need to incise the gums and then pull out the impacted wisdom teeth. Closing the incision with stitches will follow.