Not all teeth play by the rules. Sometimes, a tooth grows but never quite makes it to the surface- staying trapped under the gums or bone.
This is what dentists call an impacted tooth. While it might sound harmless, leaving it untreated can lead to pain, infection, swelling, and even damage to nearby teeth.
Let’s dive into why this hidden condition deserves your attention before it leads to bigger oral health problems.
Impacted Tooth Meaning
An impacted tooth is one that fails to fully emerge through the gums or align properly in the jaw. It can happen because there isn’t enough space in the mouth, or the tooth grows at the wrong angle.
While wisdom teeth are most often impacted, other teeth such as canines and molars can also be affected.
The two most common types of impacted tooth are:
- Impacted Wisdom Tooth – Usually the last molars at the back of the mouth used for chewing.
- Impacted Canine Tooth – The pointed tooth that helps in biting and tearing food, often trapped in the upper gum.
When a tooth gets stuck in the gums, it may not always cause pain immediately. However, if you ignore it, you may need to face several dental and even systemic health problems.
Health Problems Caused Due to Impacted Tooth
While some people live with impacted teeth without major issues, many others experience complications. Here is how an impacted molar tooth or a misaligned canine can impact your health:
Gum Infections and Abscesses
An impacted tooth can create a flap of gum tissue where food and bacteria easily get trapped. It can lead to swelling, infection, and painful abscesses. Repeated infections can even spread beyond the mouth if untreated.
Tooth Decay and Damage to Nearby Teeth
A horizontal impacted wisdom tooth can cause problems in the neighboring teeth, wearing away enamel and increasing the risk of cavities. It may also push other teeth out of alignment.
Jaw Pain and Headaches
Impacted teeth often cause pressure in the jaw. Over time, this can lead to chronic jaw pain, stiffness, and even headaches.
Cysts and Tumours
Though rare, impacted teeth can form cysts. These are fluid-filled sacs around the tooth. These can damage your jawbone and nearby teeth if not addressed.
Systemic Health Risks
Oral infections from an untreated impacted tooth can spread to your bloodstream, potentially leading to more severe health concerns like sepsis or heart-related complications in vulnerable individuals.
Impacted Canine Tooth vs. Impacted Wisdom Tooth
While wisdom teeth are the most commonly impacted, canines are the second most frequent. Let’s see how they differ:
Impacted Canine Tooth: Canines are important for proper food biting and your appearance. If they remain impacted, it can cause spacing issues, crowding, and aesthetic concerns. In many cases, orthodontic treatment is combined with minor surgery to keep the tooth into its place.
Impacted Wisdom Tooth Extraction: Since wisdom teeth often serve little functional purpose, they are typically removed if they cause pain or complications.
Causes of Impacted Tooth
Impacted tooth can be caused as a result of these factors:
- Lack of space in the jaw
- Overcrowding of teeth
- Abnormal tooth angle
- Delayed eruption
- Extra teeth or cysts in the jaw
Symptoms
If you have impacted tooth, you might experience these symptoms:
- Pain or tenderness in the gums
- Swelling around the affected tooth
- Red or bleeding gums
- Difficulty opening the mouth or chewing
- Bad breath or unpleasant taste
- Headaches or jaw pain
- Crowding or misalignment of nearby teeth
Treatment Options
Dentists usually recommend impacted tooth extraction when there is a risk of damage or infection. Depending on your teeth position, these the treatment approaches:
Monitoring
If the tooth doesn’t cause pain or harm, your dentist may suggest regular monitoring through X-rays and checkups.
Impacted Tooth Surgery
In more complex cases, like a horizontal impacted wisdom tooth, surgical intervention is required. A dentist or oral surgeon makes a small incision in the gum to access and impacted tooth removal is done. This is commonly referred to as impacted wisdom tooth extraction.
Eruption Aids
For children and teens with impacted canine teeth, doctors use eruption aids, which may include using braces, brackets, or by extracting baby or adult teeth that may be obstructing the canines.
What Happens After Impacted Tooth Surgery?
After you undergo impacted tooth surgery, recovery usually takes about 1-2 weeks. These are some common post-surgery experiences:
- Swelling and mild discomfort
- Restricted diet (soft foods recommended)
- Prescribed antibiotics or pain relievers
With proper care, you may heal well and avoid any future complications.
Preventing Problems from an Impacted Tooth
You can’t always prevent teeth from becoming impacted, but regular dental checkups can help in early detection. Here is what you can do:
- Visit your dentist twice a year for exams and X-rays.
- Address overgrowth or alignment issues early through orthodontics.
- Don’t ignore persistent jaw pain, swelling, or difficulty chewing.
Read More: How to Treat Dental Abscess?
Summing Up
An impacted tooth may seem like a minor dental issue, but it can cause significant health problems if ignored. Whether it is an impacted canine tooth, a horizontal impacted wisdom tooth, or an impacted molar tooth, timely treatment is crucial.
Impacted tooth extraction and surgical interventions relieve pain and also prevent infections, damage to nearby teeth, and even more serious health risks.
If you suspect you have an impacted tooth, speak to an oral healthcare provider as soon as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions Related to Impacted Tooth
How do I know if my tooth is impacted?
You might notice pain, swelling, or difficulty opening your mouth, but sometimes impacted teeth show no symptoms and are only detected on X-rays.
Does an impacted tooth need to be removed?
Not always. If it isn’t causing pain or damage, professionals may just monitor it, but extraction is recommended if it risks infection or misalignment.
Can an impacted tooth heal on its own?
No, an impacted tooth cannot erupt or heal by itself once it is trapped under the gum or bone.
Can an impacted tooth cause a headache?
Yes, pressure from an impacted tooth can sometimes cause jaw pain or headaches, especially if it affects surrounding teeth or nerves.
What age are impacted teeth most common?
Impacted teeth, especially wisdom teeth, are most common in late teens to mid-20s when these third molars usually try to emerge.
