Wisdom teeth are the last set of teeth to erupt from one’s jawbone. They are located in the very back of your mouth — two on the top and another two on the bottom. If they did not come out normally or they failed to break through the gum, the removal of wisdom teeth is necessary.
Partially vs. Fully Impacted Wisdom Teeth
Wisdom teeth usually come to erupt in the late teenage years or early adulthood (roughly between 17 and 25 years old). When there is no enough space for these teeth, they become “impacted.”
The orientation of impacted wisdom teeth varies. Some grow at an angle toward the next set of teeth, while some at the angle toward the back of one’s mouth. In some cases, the wisdom teeth lay down within the jawbone. In others, they grow normally (upward), but stay trapped within.
This situation can either be partial or full. Fully impacted wisdom teeth are those that didn’t emerge in their entirety. Partially impacted wisdom teeth, on the other hand, are those that emerged partially, allowing for some parts of the crown (the uppermost part of a tooth) to be visible.
Whether your teeth are fully or partially impacted, one thing is for sure: you need to undergo removal of wisdom teeth.
Symptoms to Watch Out For
If you’re unsure if you’re a candidate for the removal of wisdom teeth or not, there are tell-tale symptoms that can help indicate if you’re indeed one.
If left untreated, impacted wisdom teeth primarily cause one’s gums to swell and even bleed. This is also often accompanied by the swelling of the jaw, making it difficult for you to open your mouth and chew your food.
Once you notice that your gums are redder than usual, you should suspect that there’s something wrong inside your mouth.
Also, ss bacteria get trapped in your mouth, it is also most likely that you will experience a strange taste. This is partnered by having halitosis or bad breath — the type that can’t be cured by brushing and the use of a mouth wash.
In most cases, impacted wisdom teeth can also be associated with earache and headache.
More serious signs include gingivitis (gum irritation) and cellulitis (bacterial infection) in the throat or cheek tongue.
The Consequences
Dentists advise the extraction of impacted wisdom teeth for several reasons:
Tooth decay. People with partially impacted wisdom teeth are more prone to develop decay. This is because bacteria and food debris can easily get trapped between the teeth and the gum.
Damage to nearby teeth. The nearby teeth are more likely to get infected if the wisdom teeth remain unextracted. Apart from this, the impacted wisdom teeth can also put pressure on the surrounding teeth, leading to crowding and crooking out of the proximal teeth.
Gum disease. Maintaining good oral hygiene when you have impacted teeth can be really difficult. As mentioned, bacteria can get trapped, and this can even lead to the development of pericoronitis — or inflammatory gum disease.
Do you need the best dentist for removal of wisdom teeth? Contact our team today at Northern Virginia Oral, Maxillofacial & Implant Surgery and schedule an appointment with one of our most-trusted dentists.