In many cases, when the wisdom teeth try to erupt, they run into a serious problem: not enough space in the mouth. Consequently, they can become impacted, meaning they are partially or completely trapped under the gums. If your impacted wisdom teeth aren’t removed, they can have a significantly detrimental effect on your oral health. Here are 5 examples of complications that impacted wisdom teeth can ultimately cause.
1. Pain
One of the more obvious issues that impacted wisdom teeth can cause is significant oral pain. Since they’re trapped under the gums, they might end up pushing against the roots of your other teeth, resulting in significant discomfort. You may also start to notice pain in your gums as well as your jaw.
2. Oral Infections
When your wisdom teeth are partially impacted, cleaning them properly can be quite difficult. As such, food and harmful bacteria can easily become trapped in this area, which significantly increases your risk for oral infections. Not only does this put your smile at risk, but it could be dangerous for your overall health; when oral infections are left alone for too long, they can potentially spread to other parts of the body.
3. Tooth Decay
Just like your other teeth, wisdom teeth can potentially develop cavities. However, if you’re unable to keep your wisdom teeth clean because they’re impacted, the chances of decay occurring will be higher than normal. This is not a problem to take lightly, as treating cavities in impacted teeth can be complicated.
4. Problems with Your Other Teeth
Impacted wisdom teeth can cause all sorts of issues for the rest of your smile. For one thing, they can push on your other teeth, potentially damaging them. This could also cause them to move out of alignment, resulting in serious bite problems. On top of that, a cavity in your wisdom teeth may end up affecting the surrounding teeth if it isn’t treated in time.
5. Cysts
Sometimes cysts might appear in the area where an impacted wisdom tooth is located. Cysts are sacs filled with fluid, and while they can be benign, they also have the potential to damage nearby teeth and other oral structures unless they’re removed.
The complications listed above are all reasons why the potential threat of impacted wisdom teeth should be taken seriously. If you have concerns about your wisdom teeth, you should see your dentist as soon as possible; they can examine the area and determine whether an extraction is needed to protect your oral health.
About the Practice
At Oak Ridge Dental, our knowledgeable dental professionals aim to help families in San Ramon get the care their smiles need with as little stress as possible. You can count on us to help if any of your loved ones have a dental emergency, and we can remove wisdom teeth if they’re causing any problems. To schedule a consultation with us, visit our website or call (925) 735-6190.
