The emergence of the wisdom teeth is a hallmark of young adulthood; however, these teeth often don’t show up in a timely or trouble-free manner. When they fail to erupt or align properly, can become impacted and give rise to several troublesome oral health problems. While not everyone experiences health issues related to their wisdom teeth, when it happens, it’s usually pretty unpleasant. Continue reading below to learn more about some of the problems caused by impacted wisdom teeth, along with how your dentist can help get your smile back to feeling great!

What Problems Are Caused by Impacted Wisdom Teeth?

Wisdom teeth become impacted when they do not have enough room to grow in, causing them to become stuck, or “impacted.” This phenomenon can be attributed to evolutionary changes in the jawbone; humans don’t need their wisdom teeth anymore due to changes in diets and smaller jaw sizes over time, which is what causes the lack of space for the teeth.

However, impacted wisdom teeth can be quite problematic, and lead to numerous uncomfortable, often painful oral health problems such as:

• Cavities – Due to their improper positioning, impacted wisdom teeth cannot be cleaned effectively, making it more likely that bacteria will spawn and form tooth decay and cavities.
• Oral infections – In addition to cavities, painful infections like gum disease that threaten the rest of your body can progress if the impacted teeth are left unaddressed.
• Cysts – Cysts, which are fluid-filled sacs, can form around impacted wisdom teeth and have the potential to cause problems and can also push against surrounding tissues.
• Misalignment – Since they exert excess pressure on neighboring teeth, impacted wisdom teeth can cause undesirable dental misalignment. This can also cause difficulty when eating.
• Sinus pain – Impacted upper wisdom teeth can extend into the sinuses and cause pressure, pain, and congestion.

How Can My Dentist Help?

If you’re suffering from any of these issues, or worried that you might be subjected to impacted wisdom teeth in the future, you should talk with your dentist sooner rather than later. After a thorough examination, which usually includes X-rays for an even more detailed look, your provider can help identify any potential issues either before they’ve arisen or after they’ve started bugging you. In almost all cases, the go-to solution for addressing impacted wisdom teeth is extraction. Even having them extracted early can prevent these issues—which is what has led wisdom tooth extraction to be one of the most common oral surgeries performed today!

About the Practice

The talented team at Texas Wisdom Teeth has proudly served patients and families in the Dallas, TX area and surrounding metroplex for several years. Under the leadership of Dr. Cameron “Cam” Wendling, they’re excited to offer a wide range of services including wisdom tooth extraction, so if you or a loved one is dealing with an impacted wisdom tooth, don’t hesitate to contact the practice today! Telephone: (972) 960-1111.