Whether you’ve had your wisdom teeth for a few months or several years now, you might be wondering what you should do with them. Some people decide to take them out early on while others choose to keep them for various reasons. However, if you have final molars that are improperly erupted, you might risk experiencing a wide range of oral health issues that you’ll need to address later on. Keep reading to learn five potential problems that can arise from impacted wisdom teeth.
What Problems Can Impacted Wisdom Teeth Lead To?
Discomfort
If your wisdom teeth are stuck under your gums or pushing against the rest of your smile, you can start to feel mild to moderate pain. This might be because you don’t have enough space in your mouth to accommodate your third molars, which can lead to irritation and uncomfortable pressure. As this can affect you from your gum line to the roots of other teeth, the pain can vary between subtle and dull to sharp and throbbing.
Cavities
Impacted wisdom teeth, due to their improper positioning, can make it difficult to clean them efficiently. This can make it easier for bacteria and plaque to grow and accumulate around the area. Leaving this unchecked can result in tooth decay. Since you won’t be able to reach and clean effectively, any cavities that develop can get larger and deeper, which can then lead to problems like severe toothaches, sensitivity, and more.
Infections
In addition to cavities, bacteria that become trapped around your impacted wisdom teeth can result in infections. This can develop into a variety of problems like pain, abscesses, pus, and more. Some patients even experience fevers and other systemic issues.
Cysts
These are fluid-filled sacs that can develop around an erupted tooth and are common with impacted wisdom teeth. While the majority are benign, sometimes they can become potentially harmful. In certain instances, they can start to push against surrounding tissues and lead to further pain and damage.
Misalignment & Trouble Eating
Without enough space to fit your wisdom teeth, they can begin to push against your other pearly whites and cause them to shift out of place. Even if you’ve undergone orthodontic treatment in the past, your smile and bite can become misaligned. Not only will your grin be negatively impacted, but this can make eating and chewing certain foods less enjoyable.
What Can Your Dentist Do?
If you’re experiencing any of these issues or are concerned about your impacted wisdom teeth, notify your dentist sooner rather than later. The most viable solution for your situation may be to simply remove them. Even if your final molars aren’t currently causing problems, undergoing an examination and consultation will allow your dentist to monitor and treat them should they ever pose a risk to your oral health. In many cases, having your wisdom teeth extracted early on can help you avoid any potential problems altogether!
About the Practice
At Westgate Dental Care, our team is highly committed to providing modern, quality, and comfortable dental care. We utilize advanced technology and techniques, and we have incredibly talented experts that can perform a wide range of procedures, including wisdom tooth extractions. If you’d like to know more about the effects of impacted wisdom teeth or would like to schedule your consultation, feel free to visit our website or give us a call at 847-577-7171.