Complications Caused From Impacted Wisdom Teeth
The very last molars at the back of your mouth are known as wisdom teeth. This is because they tend to erupt much later in life than other teeth, normally in the late teens or early 20’s. Scientists believe that wisdom teeth exist because our ancient forefathers had longer jawbones and skulls which could accommodate the extra teeth. Unfortunately, about 85% of adults in Australia today usually need to have one or more of their wisdom teeth extracted because of complications. Basically, if one of these teeth does not have enough room to erupt, it may tilt, twist or displace other teeth in an attempt to find more room to emerge. If this happens, you may be needed to undergo a procedure to have your wisdom teeth extracted. This will remove any source of discomfort that you may be experiencing and prevent any further complications.
Here are a few other complications that can be caused by impacted wisdom teeth.
- Throbbing pain in the back of your mouth
When your wisdom teeth get impacted, they can cause a lot of pain, especially when the condition worsens. You may notice that the pain radiates from the back of your mouth, particularly focused on the area of the impacted wisdom teeth. This pain may worsen when the surrounding teeth become affected.
- Gum disease and tooth decay
It can be quite difficult to clean the surrounding area when the wisdom teeth partially erupt. Therefore, food remains, and bacteria are easily trapped between the gums and partially erupted tooth. This can lead to an increased risk of gum disease and tooth decay. Gum disease can cause a lot of pain, inflammation, loss of teeth and other dental issues.
- Swollen, tender and bleeding gums
Impacted wisdom teeth can lead to severe gum problems. Gums may become swollen and tender when you touch them. They may also bleed when you exert pressure on them, which makes brushing and flossing difficult and painful. If you notice that your gums are swollen and tender, this may be an effect of the impacted wisdom teeth. It can also be other forms of gum disease. Therefore, it is important that you visit your dentist as soon as possible.
- Cysts
Cysts occur in very rare cases, but they are a potentially serious complication that may arise from impacted wisdom teeth. Cysts form when the sac that a wisdom tooth develops in is filled with fluid. This may lead to serious damage to the jawbone, teeth, and nerves. In some other cases, a benign tumor may develop, resulting in the removal of bone and tissue.
Bottom Line
If you are experiencing one or more of these complication signs and fear that you may have impacted wisdom teeth, do not hesitate to visit our dentists at the Carrum Downs Dental Clinic as soon as possible. Our dentist will take an x-ray to determine whether the wisdom teeth are the cause of the problem and if so, he or she will discuss the next steps with you. If you have any questions regarding impacted wisdom teeth or other related dental issues, feel free to schedule an appointment or call us today.