It’s Not Wise to Ignore Impacted Wisdom Teeth

If a wisdom tooth becomes impacted or trapped inside the jaw, it can’t erupt normally into the mouth. If you have an impacted wisdom tooth, waiting to see your dentist is never a good idea. Procrastinating could be expensive and painful. Impacted teeth won’t get better by themselves; they require professional treatment. Your dentist will evaluate your tooth’s position, assess the risk of infection and other complications, and decide on the best treatment. The following questions and answers can help you understand why prompt wisdom teeth extractions can be so important.

What Are the Signs of Impacted Wisdom Teeth?

• Localized pain and sensations of pressure
• Gum swelling, recession, and bleeding
• Bad breath
• Visual evidence of a third molar emerging through gum tissue

What Causes Impaction?

Some researchers believe that wisdom teeth are remnants from our ancient ancestors and that modern eating habits have made them obsolete. Because our ancestors had larger jawbones, their third molars came in with no problem. Our modern bone structure makes it more difficult; there’s simply not enough room for wisdom teeth in the oral cavity.

Does Treatment Prevent Complications?

Some wisdom teeth erupt normally and no treatment is needed. However, impacted teeth can cause periodontitis, cysts, tumors and serious infections that spread to the bone, neck and surrounding areas. They can also cause other teeth to shift or tilt. An impacted tooth can even increase your risk of cavities. Having your wisdom teeth treated can prevent complications, and improve your overall oral health.

Are Wisdom Teeth Extractions Necessary?

Dental extractions are often the only solution for dealing with impacted wisdom teeth, especially if infection or severe pain is present. Putting off extraction can increase the risk of complications and make recovery time longer. Dental extractions are usually simple; it takes about an hour and only requires local anesthesia and a few days of recovery time. An affordable dentist or oral surgeon will prescribe pain medicines and antibiotics if needed, and you may need to eat a soft diet for a week or so after the procedure. The following tips can make recovery easier.

• Avoid drinking from a straw
• Gargle with warm, salty water
• Rest as much as possible after the procedure
• Brush your teeth normally, but avoid the extraction site

To learn about our family dentistry practice in Indiana, call Wadas Dental today at or make an appointment.