Wisdom teeth are the third set of molars at the back of the mouth, and they usually emerge between the ages of 17 and 25.
For many people, wisdom teeth can become impacted, meaning they don’t have enough space to emerge properly. When this happens, the teeth may cause a variety of issues, which is why dental professionals often recommend their removal. In this article, we will explore the reasons why impacted wisdom teeth need to be removed and the potential consequences of leaving them untreated.
What Are Impacted Wisdom Teeth?
Impacted wisdom teeth are those that have not fully erupted through the gums or have become misaligned. This can occur for a number of reasons, including insufficient space in the mouth, abnormal tooth growth, or a lack of gum tissue for the tooth to break through. Impacted wisdom teeth may be partially erupted, meaning they are visible but not fully out, or fully impacted, where the tooth is trapped under the gum or bone.
Types of Impacted Wisdom Teeth
There are several types of impaction:
Mesioangular Impaction: The tooth is angled towards the front of the mouth, pushing against adjacent teeth.
Vertical Impaction: The tooth grows straight up, but there isn’t enough space for it to erupt properly.
Distoangular Impaction: The tooth grows at an angle towards the back of the mouth, often causing it to remain trapped.
Horizontal Impaction: The tooth grows sideways, completely impacted within the jawbone.
Impacted wisdom teeth are common, and for many people, they can lead to serious dental issues if not treated in time.
Why Do Impacted Wisdom Teeth Need to Be Removed?
While not every person with impacted wisdom teeth needs them removed, there are several reasons why dental professionals often recommend extraction. Let’s look at these in detail.
1. Risk of Infection
One of the primary concerns with impacted wisdom teeth is the risk of infection. When a tooth is impacted, it may not fully emerge from the gums, leaving a small flap of gum tissue that can trap food particles and bacteria. This creates an environment where infection can thrive. Infections around the impacted teeth can lead to:
Gum infection (Pericoronitis): This condition occurs when the gum tissue around the partially erupted tooth becomes inflamed and infected.
Abscesses: An untreated infection can lead to the formation of abscesses, which are painful collections of pus.
Foul taste or odor: Bacteria can produce a bad taste or smell in the mouth, which is often associated with impacted wisdom teeth.
If left untreated, these infections can spread to other areas of the mouth, causing more severe health problems.
2. Damage to Adjacent Teeth
When wisdom teeth become impacted, they can exert pressure on the neighboring teeth. This pressure can cause the surrounding teeth to become misaligned or even damaged. Common problems caused by impacted wisdom teeth include:
Crowding of teeth: Impacted wisdom teeth can push on adjacent molars, causing them to shift out of alignment, leading to crowded or crooked teeth.
Decay of neighboring teeth: The pressure from an impacted wisdom tooth can create spaces between the teeth, which can become difficult to clean, increasing the risk of tooth decay.
Root resorption: In some cases, the pressure from an impacted wisdom tooth can cause the roots of adjacent teeth to break down or resorb.
By removing impacted wisdom teeth, the risk of damage to surrounding teeth is minimized.
3. Pain and Discomfort
Impacted wisdom teeth often cause significant pain and discomfort.
The pain typically occurs when the tooth tries to emerge but doesn’t have enough space, causing pressure and irritation in the surrounding tissue. Common symptoms of impacted wisdom teeth include:
- Throbbing pain at the back of the mouth
- Pain while chewing or talking
- Swelling and tenderness in the gums
- Headaches or jaw pain
For many people, this pain is persistent and can be difficult to manage with over-the-counter pain medications. In such cases, removal of the impacted teeth is the best solution to alleviate discomfort.
4. Cysts and Tumors
In some cases, an impacted wisdom tooth can lead to the formation of cysts or tumors. A cyst is a fluid-filled sac that can develop around an impacted tooth and cause damage to the jawbone, teeth, and nerves.
Although rare, these cysts can grow over time and result in the following complications:
Bone loss: Cysts can cause the surrounding bone to deteriorate, leading to jaw instability.
Damage to nearby structures: Cysts can damage nerves, blood vessels, and other parts of the jaw, requiring more extensive surgery to repair.
Formation of tumors: In rare cases, a cyst can become a tumor, potentially leading to further complications.
Removing impacted wisdom teeth can prevent the development of cysts or tumors and protect the overall health of the mouth.
5. Preventing Gum Disease
Wisdom teeth are located at the back of the mouth, making them difficult to clean properly. As a result, they are more susceptible to plaque buildup, which can lead to gum disease (periodontal disease). Gum disease is an infection of the gums that can cause:
- Red, swollen gums
- Bleeding when brushing or flossing
- Receding gums
- Loose teeth
If left untreated, gum disease can lead to tooth loss. Removing impacted wisdom teeth helps reduce the risk of gum disease by eliminating hard-to-reach areas where bacteria and plaque can accumulate.
6. Preventing Tooth Decay
As mentioned, impacted wisdom teeth are harder to clean because they are located at the back of the mouth. This can make it difficult to remove plaque and food particles from around the tooth, leading to tooth decay (cavities). Impacted wisdom teeth are more likely to decay because:
Plaque accumulation: The inability to properly clean the area increases the buildup of plaque, a sticky film of bacteria.
Difficulty accessing the tooth: The location of impacted wisdom teeth makes them difficult to brush and floss properly.
Close proximity to adjacent teeth: The area between the wisdom tooth and the neighboring molars can trap food and bacteria, increasing the likelihood of decay.
To prevent long-term damage to the teeth and gums, many dentists recommend removing impacted wisdom teeth before decay sets in.
When Should Impacted Wisdom Teeth Be Removed?
Not all impacted wisdom teeth need to be removed immediately. The timing of removal depends on a variety of factors, such as:
Age: Wisdom teeth are easier to remove in younger patients because their roots and bone are not fully developed, making the extraction process simpler and less invasive.
Symptoms: If the impacted wisdom teeth are causing pain, infection, or damage to neighboring teeth, they may need to be removed sooner rather than later.
X-ray findings: Dentists may use X-rays to assess the position of the wisdom teeth and determine if they are causing or will cause problems in the future.
If the impacted wisdom teeth are not causing any immediate issues, your dentist may monitor them over time to decide when extraction is necessary.
Conclusion
Impacted wisdom teeth can cause a range of problems, from pain and discomfort to infection, damage to adjacent teeth, and the risk of cysts or tumors. Removing impacted wisdom teeth helps prevent these issues and can improve overall oral health. If you experience symptoms such as pain, swelling, or difficulty opening your mouth, it’s important to consult with your dentist to discuss the best course of action. Early intervention can save you from more complicated and expensive dental procedures down the road.
