01 May 2022
Impacted wisdom teeth occur when the teeth don’t break through the gum line. This causes them to grow at an uncomfortable angle and press into other teeth, the back of your mouth or jawbone. Partially impacted teeth barely break through the gums while fully impacted wisdom teeth don’t break through at all.
Let’s explore the signs of impacted wisdom teeth, what complications they cause and how Divine Dental of Vancouver can help. We keep patient education and comfort at the centre of everything we do.
Signs of Impacted Wisdom Teeth
Wisdom teeth, also called third molars by dental professionals, typically develop between the ages of 17 and 25, but it can be much earlier. As they develop, they can become impacted. The most common signs of impacted wisdom teeth include:
- Halitosis, or bad breath that isn’t cured by good oral hygiene
- Inflamed gums
- Unpleasant taste
- Jaw pain
- Bleeding around the gums
- A swollen jaw
- Difficulty eating, talking and opening of the mouth
If a dentist has noted that your wisdom teeth are already developing, sudden appearance of any of these symptoms could mean you have impacted wisdom teeth.
Complications From Impacted Wisdom Teeth
If left untreated, the symptoms of impacted wisdom teeth can become more serious:
- Impacted wisdom teeth may damage or misalign other teeth.
- The sac in which wisdom teeth develop may fill with fluid and form a painful cyst. This can damage bones, teeth and gum tissue.
- Partially impacted wisdom teeth are tough to clean and may lead to a gum infection called pericoronitis.
- This infection can also take the form of general tooth decay and gum disease.
To prevent that, schedule a dentist appointment at the first sign of discomfort. A dentist will be able to tell you if impacted wisdom teeth are the cause of your discomfort and recommend ways to take care of them.
Solutions for Impacted Wisdom Teeth and Symptoms
Those complications may require thorough treatment before and after the impacted wisdom tooth is taken care of. You may need braces, tissue or bone removal or antibiotics.
If impacted wisdom teeth are caught early enough, though, you could bypass those complications and treatments altogether. Many dentists will recommend wisdom tooth extraction. While this is a surgical procedure, the specialists at Divine Dental are well-equipped and highly-trained to tackle the issue.
In many cases, wisdom tooth extraction takes less than an hour. You may receive a local anesthetic, IV sedation or general anesthesia. Don’t let that intimidate you, though — many patients only experience mild discomfort that disappears after three or four days.
Visit Divine Dental Clinic of Vancouver, BC, For Wisdom Tooth Extraction
At Divine Dental Clinic, we understand that many people are anxious about the dentist and impacted wisdom teeth. From general dentistry to dental implant installation, we approach every service with professionalism and a positive, supportive attitude. Schedule an appointment with us today to put your mind and mouth at ease. We look forward to seeing you!