Wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, typically begin to emerge during the late teens or early adulthood. While some come in normally and never cause problems, others may not have enough room to fully emerge and can become impacted.
An impacted wisdom tooth may cause pain or discomfort behind the second molars at the back of the mouth, swollen or tender gums, jaw discomfort, or difficulty opening the mouth. Because these symptoms can also occur with other dental conditions, understanding the signs to watch for can help you know when it may be time to have your wisdom teeth evaluated.
What Is an Impacted Wisdom Tooth?
An impacted wisdom tooth is a wisdom tooth that does not fully emerge into its normal position in the mouth. It may remain completely beneath the gum or jawbone, known as a completely impacted wisdom tooth, or only part of the tooth may break through the gum, known as a partially impacted wisdom tooth.
Some impacted wisdom teeth cause no noticeable symptoms, while others may affect the surrounding gums or nearby teeth. Whether the tooth causes problems can depend on its position and how it develops.
Common Signs and Symptoms of Impacted Wisdom Tooth
Symptoms can vary depending on the position of the tooth and whether the surrounding gum becomes irritated or inflamed. Some people notice only mild discomfort, while others develop more noticeable problems.
Common signs may include:
- Pain at the back of the mouth: A dull ache or sharper discomfort may develop behind the second molars.
- Swollen or tender gums: The gum around the area may feel sore, red, or swollen.
- Jaw discomfort: Pressure or aching may develop around the back of the jaw.
- Difficulty opening the mouth: Inflammation may make it uncomfortable to open your mouth fully.
- Discomfort when chewing: Biting down near the affected area may feel tender or painful.
- Bad taste or persistent bad breath: Food and bacteria can collect around a partially erupted tooth.
Because these symptoms can have different causes, persistent or worsening discomfort should be checked by a dentist.
Why Do Wisdom Teeth Become Impacted?
Wisdom teeth develop behind the other permanent teeth, and there may be limited space available for them to move into their normal position in the mouth.
The direction of growth can also affect eruption. A wisdom tooth may develop tilted forward, backward, or sideways rather than following a clear path into the mouth. In other cases, its path may be restricted by a neighboring molar or surrounding bone. The exact position and eruption pattern can vary from person to person.
How Is an Impacted Wisdom Tooth Diagnosed?
Diagnosis usually starts with a dental examination. Your dentist will check the back of the mouth for swelling, tenderness, gum irritation, or signs that a wisdom tooth is only partially emerging.
Dental X-rays provide a clearer view of the tooth’s position and angle, whether it is trapped beneath the gum or bone, and how close it is to nearby teeth. Together, the examination and X-ray findings help your dentist identify potential problems and determine whether monitoring or treatment may be appropriate.
What Treatment Options Are Available?
Treatment depends on your symptoms, the position of the tooth, and whether it is affecting nearby teeth or gums. Not every wisdom tooth needs to be removed.
- Monitoring: If there are no significant symptoms or complications, regular dental exams and X-rays may be recommended to watch for changes.
- Managing gum irritation: Professional cleaning and improved oral hygiene may help reduce irritation around a partially erupted wisdom tooth.
- Coronectomy (partial removal): In selected cases, the crown of a lower wisdom tooth may be removed while the roots are left in place, particularly when complete removal could increase the risk of nerve injury.
- Wisdom tooth extraction: Removal may be recommended for ongoing pain, repeated infections, decay, damage to a neighboring tooth, or other complications.
What Happens If an Impacted Wisdom Tooth Is Left Untreated?
Not every impacted wisdom tooth causes problems. However, if the area is difficult to clean or the tooth is only partially erupted, food and bacteria can collect around it and increase the risk of complications.
Possible problems include:
- Gum inflammation or infection around the tooth.
- Tooth decay in the wisdom tooth or the neighboring molar.
- Gum problems around nearby teeth when the area is difficult to keep clean.
- Recurring pain or swelling around the back of the mouth.
- Cyst formation, although this is less common.
Regular dental checkups can help detect potential problems around impacted wisdom teeth before they become more difficult to manage.
When Should You Seek Urgent Dental Care?
Not every wisdom tooth symptom requires urgent treatment, but certain changes should be checked promptly. Seeking emergency dental care when concerning symptoms develop can help identify the cause and determine the appropriate treatment.
Contact a dentist if you experience:
- Severe or worsening pain: Persistent pain that affects eating, sleeping, or daily activities should be evaluated promptly.
- Increasing swelling: Swelling of the gum, cheek, or jaw may indicate inflammation or infection.
- Fever with dental pain or swelling: Fever alongside dental symptoms can be a sign of infection.
- Pus or drainage: Drainage or a persistent bad taste may indicate infection around the tooth or gum.
- Difficulty opening your mouth: Increasing pain or restriction when opening the mouth should be evaluated promptly.
Seek immediate medical attention if swelling becomes severe or you have difficulty breathing or swallowing, as these can be signs of a more serious infection.
Can Problems from Impacted Wisdom Teeth Be Prevented?
You cannot always prevent a wisdom tooth from becoming impacted because its position and the available space in the jaw are determined as it develops. However, you can take steps to reduce the risk of related problems.
Regular dental checkups allow your dentist to monitor wisdom tooth development and identify changes before they become more difficult to manage. Good brushing and flossing are also important, especially around partially erupted teeth where food and bacteria can collect.
If you notice pain, swelling, or gum tenderness at the back of your mouth, early evaluation can help address the problem before it worsens.
Conclusion
Persistent pain near the back molars, swollen gums, or jaw discomfort may be a sign that a wisdom tooth needs dental attention. However, these symptoms do not always mean that extraction is necessary.
If your symptoms persist or become worse, consider scheduling a dental evaluation with Creative Smile Dental Clinic in New Bedford, MA. A dentist can examine the area, assess the position of the tooth, and determine whether monitoring or treatment is the most appropriate option for your oral health.
