6 Harmful Consequences Of An Impacted Wisdom Tooth
They are the last adult teeth to erupt and often cause the most problems – wisdom teeth. Wisdom teeth are the third molars found at the very back of the mouth on either side. When these molars do not have adequate room to emerge or grow normally, they are considered impacted. According to the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, about 90 percent of people have at least one impacted wisdom tooth. If an impacted wisdom tooth is not removed, it can potentially result in a series of negative health consequences. Learn more about these risks associated with an impacted wisdom tooth.
1. Mild to Severe Pain
Impacted wisdom teeth can cause mild to severe pain, depending on the severity and the overall health of the teeth. This pain is generally targeted at the back of the mouth, behind the molars. Pain associated with impacted wisdom teeth will generally increase over time as the wisdom teeth continue to grow in improperly. If left to continue growing, the teeth can press against nerves and bone, and crowd surrounding teeth.
2. Tooth Decay
While tooth decay may not seem serious at first, if left untreated tooth decay can weaken the structure of the tooth, causing teeth to become brittle and loose. Individuals with impacted wisdom teeth are at a high risk for tooth decay, as it's hard to clean the surfaces found between the impacted teeth and neighboring teeth. As dental plaque accumulates in these small crevices, decay can quickly develop.
3. Oral Infections
If tooth decay is present and bacteria are left to harbor between teeth, various oral infections can develop. Oral infections not only harmful to your oral health, but can affect your health as a whole. An infection will usually begin with pain, redness, slight swelling, and tenderness around the infection site. As the wisdom teeth continue to erupt through the gums, bacteria can enter the open tissue resulting in infection.
4. Pericoronitis Disorder
Pericoronitis is the inflammation of the gum tissue that surrounds the molar teeth. This condition is often seen in the lower jaw and can make it difficult to open your mouth, leave a "bad taste" in your mouth, and cause lymph nodes in the neck to swell. Pericoronitis generally develops when food debris and bacteria become trapped in the space between the wisdom tooth crown and overlying gum.
5. Root Resorption
Impacted wisdom teeth can cause a phenomenon known as root absorption to a neighboring tooth. This event is similar to what happens to baby teeth. When baby teeth fall out, they appear to have no root portion, but they did at one time. The permanent tooth erupting underneath causes the root to resorb. This can also happen to an adjacent tooth to an impacted wisdom tooth due to a combination of dental plaque, inflammation, and the pressure of the wisdom tooth pushing on the adjacent tooth.
6. Poorly Positioned Teeth
If a wisdom tooth does not have enough room to fully erupt, it can result in a poorly positioned molar that can lead to a number of problems. Not only is a crooked or sideways wisdom tooth aesthetically-unappealing, but the misaligned tooth can also scrape, crush or poke at the cheek tissue. Poorly positioned teeth also increase the risk of dental cavities that harbor bacteria and increase your risk of oral infection.
It's not always easy to tell if you have an impacted wisdom tooth. If you suspect that you may have an impacted wisdom tooth or if you are experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above, contact your dental professional for a thorough examination of your teeth, and to possibly schedule a time for wisdom teeth removal.
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