4 Signs of Impacted Wisdom Teeth You Shouldn’t Ignore

For most people, wisdom teeth are the last teeth to break through the gum and come into the mouth. Most people will have their wisdom teeth by the age of 25. In the past, wisdom teeth were important, but they are no longer needed and often need to be extracted to prevent unplanned pain and discomfort. This is because wisdom teeth don’t always erupt and align as they should. 

When this happens, a person experiences impacted wisdom teeth. In our blog, the team at Huntington Bay Dental, on Long Island, NY, will detail the signs you need to know that indicate you have impacted wisdom teeth. We will also advise on the treatments available and if prevention is possible, so let’s dive in. 

How To Tell If A Wisdom Tooth Is Impacted—The Signs Of Impacted Wisdom Tooth

Determining if a wisdom tooth is impacted can be confirmed with the use of x-rays, so we have listed the signs of impacted wisdom teeth below. Should you notice any of these signs, it’s an excellent idea to speak with an experienced dentist at our practice at Huntington Bay Dental.

1. Throbbing Pain

Many things can cause throbbing pain in the mouth, but often if it occurs at the back of your mouth where your wisdom teeth are located, it’s a sign of an impacted tooth. It is one of the first signs of this problem, so be sure to inform your dentist when it becomes a problem and causes you pain. 

2. Bad Breath

Have you been reaching for more mints or chewing gum lately because your breath has an unpleasant odor you’re not used to experiencing? Bad breath is a sign that you’re experiencing an impacted tooth. You may have an infection, causing an unpleasant taste and smell in your mouth. 

3. Headaches

Many people might not realize that headaches are linked to impacted wisdom teeth. This is because the pressure on the jaw and your surrounding teeth can cause pain to radiate outwards, leading to a headache. This is often the case if your teeth are growing in awkward positions, so be sure to attend your routine dental checkups. 

4. Swollen Glands

Swollen glands in the neck and shoulders can indicate many medical conditions but also indicate impacted wisdom teeth. If you’re experiencing swollen lymph glands, it could mean your body is fighting off an infection that is being caused by impacted teeth. So speak with your doctor and your dentist about the issue to get to confirm that.

Impacted Tooth Symptoms

Learning more about the symptoms is a good idea now that you know the signs of impacted wisdom teeth. Before checking the list below, it’s important to know that impacted wisdom teeth may not always show visible symptoms. A dentist can diagnose any issues by taking an x-ray of your mouth and completing an exam.

• Impacted wisdom tooth pain. 
• Swollen, red, or bleeding gums. 
• Swelling of the face or jaw. 
• Difficulties opening your mouth the entire way. 
• Halitosis. 

What Complications Can Impacted Wisdom Teeth Cause? 

Few people realize that there is a wide range of problems having impacted wisdom teeth can cause. We’ve listed these complications below, but to learn more, you can speak with our dental practice’s dentists: 

• Cysts: Your wisdom tooth develops within a sac in your jawbone. If you have an impacted tooth, it is more likely for this sac to fill with fluid, leading to a cyst, infection, and possible damage to the jawbone, nerves, and surrounding teeth.
• Tumors: Sometimes, there can be the formation of usually benign tumors. If a tumor is present, your dentist will need to make clinical recommendations. 
• Decay: Those with partially impacted wisdom teeth have a slightly greater risk of experiencing tooth decay because wisdom teeth are much harder to clean, and bacteria and food get trapped between the gum and partially erupted tooth. 

These are only some of the dental complications that could arise if impacted wisdom teeth become a problem. 

Treating An Impacted Wisdom Tooth

Many times, the way to treat an impacted wisdom tooth is to have it removed. Often if this tooth gives you pain, discomfort, infections, or dental damage, your dentist will recommend surgery to remove it. Some dentists also advocate for preventative surgery to prevent problems surrounding impacted wisdom teeth in the future. 

Is There A Way To Prevent Impacted Wisdom Teeth? 

You cannot prevent an impaction from occurring despite what you may believe. However, maintaining a routine sixth-month dental cleaning and check-up ensures your dentist can monitor your wisdom teeth and their growth or lack thereof. 

Speak With A Huntington Bay Dentist Today To Discuss Your Impacted Wisdom Teeth

If you suspect you have one or more impacted wisdom teeth, consider speaking with a Long Island dentist at Huntington Bay Dental.

Our dentists have experience spotting the signs of impacted wisdom teeth and can help you identify if this is a cause for concern and if you should have them extracted. So contact us and book a consultation today!