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Impacted Wisdom Teeth - Asheville, NC

Relieving the Pain Caused by Impacted Wisdom Teeth

An impacted wisdom tooth

If you know someone who has never had the pleasure of having their wisdom teeth removed, you may be wishing you were them, especially if you have impacted wisdom teeth. Dr. John White is all too familiar with this common procedure, performing it time and time again on mostly teenagers and young adults. When teeth become impacted, various complications can arise, causing immense pain and potential problems with your oral health. If you think you might need the help of a qualified oral surgeon, contact our office today to schedule an appointment.

Impacted Wisdom Teeth: The Basics

An X-ray of impacted wisdom teeth

When you were a baby, you went through a process known as “teething,” which probably left you feeling uncomfortable at times because your teeth were erupting through your gums. Now that you’re an adult and your permanent teeth are in place, the pain you experience now is typically that of a toothache. But what about that immense pain in the back of your mouth?

Those would be your wisdom teeth, also known as your third molars. If your gums feel tender to the touch, it is because these unnecessary teeth are impacted and cannot erupt. If all the tooth is below the gum line, it is “fully impacted.” If the crown is showing but nothing else, you have a tooth that is “partially impacted.” Either way, the reason both of these situations happen is that you do not have enough room for your wisdom teeth.

The Dangers of Impaction

A woman holding her cheek in pain

When these teeth remain impacted and go untreated, not only are you suffering from pain and soreness in your mouth, but the following complications can occur:

Symptoms of Impacted Wisdom Teeth

A woman holding her hands in front of her mouth because of bad breath

If you have impacted wisdom teeth and feel no pain or tenderness, you are one of the lucky ones. However, just because you don’t notice any symptoms doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t have them removed. It’s also important that whether you notice any problems, you should continue to see your dentist every six months for a checkup and cleaning.

Some of the symptoms associated with impacted wisdom teeth include:

If you notice any of the above-mentioned symptoms developing, make sure to contact your oral surgeon as soon as possible.

Do Wisdom Teeth Always Need to be Removed?

A pulled tooth

Surprisingly, no, wisdom teeth do not always need to be removed. Although seldom, there are a few reasons why an oral surgeon will not remove them:

Your dentist or oral surgeon will be able to evaluate your individual case and determine if it’s necessary to remove your wisdom teeth. Sometimes, it is best to extract them simply because they’re unnecessary and can pose future problems. As you age, the process of removing wisdom teeth becomes more difficult, so it is best if this procedure is done early on.

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