Dealing with Impacted Wisdom Teeth

by Kevin Smith Author

One of the most painful and aggravating dental issues you may encounter in life is an impacted wisdom tooth. It can cause a surprising amount of pain before being removed, but it is important to remember that not all wisdom teeth will become impacted. Before taking a day off of work and running to your dental offices in Sharpsburg, GA, take a moment to recognize some of the signs and symptoms of impacted wisdom teeth to arm yourself with knowledge.

Sometimes There Are None

It is not uncommon for you to experience few or no symptoms when a tooth becomes impacted, especially in the early stages. The body is extremely adaptable and can adjust to many different potential issues. Over time, as pressure builds, pain will likely result from the swelling of the surrounding gums and potential bleeding in that area. The swelling can potentially be a sign of an infection. You may also experience swollen lymph nodes and a stiff jaw as the impacted tooth progresses.

Serious Symptoms

Over time, there is a small, but notable risk of developing a cyst or tumor. These are usually benign, but can still cause problems. A cyst is generally caused by fluid building up in the area that the tooth develops in, which is already a sac like structure. It is important to make sure to deal with the issue of an impacted tooth before things get to this point, because removing the tumor forces you to lose tissue and bone as well.

Decay

Unlike normal teeth, impacted teeth face a greater risk of tooth decay, and will often decay faster than normal teeth. It can be harder to brush the impacted teeth, given their difficult location, and there are parts of the teeth that can be completely impossible to clean. It is also extremely easy for food particles to become lodged in the area between tooth and gum, further increasing the risk. If left unchecked, the decay can and will spread to nearby teeth, especially the close by second molar, so getting ahead of the problem is extremely important.

Dental health is one of the most important components of physical health, but it unfortunately often goes unnoticed. When you feel like you have a wisdom tooth that may soon become impacted, it is important to visit your dental offices in Sharpsburg, GA, and get it taken care of before small symptoms become major dangerous symptoms.