If you are feeling severe pain near your molars and are expecting wisdom teeth, you may have an impacted wisdom tooth. Ouch! If you are experiencing this sort of oral pain, then it’s time to give our professionals at Kruckman Family Dentistry a call.

First of all, what is an impacted tooth? When a tooth comes in only partially, it is considered to be impacted. This issue can happen with any teeth, but it most commonly occurs as wisdom teeth are growing in between the ages of 17 and 21. Whether it happens because the area is too crowded for the tooth to emerge or because the surrounding teeth become tilted or twisted, this problem is much more common than many think. If this becomes too much of a problem, then your dentist may decide that tooth extraction is the best course of action. Read on to learn about the specific symptoms of impacted tooth pain.

Throbbing pain in your mouth near your molars

Pain near the front of your mouth might indicate a cavity or another issue, but when you feel a throbbing pain in the back of your mouth, that might indicate an impacted tooth. This pain will get worse as the surrounding teeth become affected by the tooth.

Bleeding, swollen, and tender gums

If your wisdom teeth are impacted, you may be experiencing some major gum pain. This often means swelling and tenderness, as well as possible bleeding whenever you apply too much pressure. This can make daily tasks, from eating to brushing and flossing, extremely difficult and painful to do. Please see a dentist immediately if you are experiencing this sort of pain, as you may have an impacted wisdom tooth or another form of gum disease.

Swelling around your jaw

If the swelling in your gums escalates, it may even travel to your jaw. Impacted wisdom teeth will commonly cause some slight swelling at first, but it can get very painful and more severe quickly to the point where you may even be unable to open your mouth.

Swelling in your glands, your shoulders, and your neck

Oral difficulties can spread, and a common sign of an impacted wisdom tooth is swollen glands around the shoulder and neck areas. When this is combined with the symptoms listed above, then it becomes an obvious sign of an impacted tooth.

Headaches

Your temporomandibular joint, which connects your jaw and your skull, can become inflamed and irritated when you have an impacted wisdom tooth. This pressure can create unbearable headaches that can travel to other parts of your head and face.

Why Are Impacted Wisdom Teeth Such a Problem?

You can actually develop more severe conditions if your tooth is not treated properly and quickly. The condition will get worse, and the complications that are tied in are even more serious:

• Damage – The teeth surrounding the impacted tooth might lead to infection and can even push these teeth out of place.
• Gum Disease – Impacted wisdom teeth are in a vulnerable spot, and they are much more likely to become infected or begin to decay. This leads to major issues in the mouth. Since the back of your gums are difficult to reach as it is for cleaning, food and bacteria may become trapped and lead to even further gum problems and tooth decay.
• Cysts – Your wisdom teeth develop and grow in a sac located in the interior of your jaw. They may sometimes fill with fluids when your wisdom teeth become impacted, which can lead to cysts. These cysts cause myriad issues, including damaged nerves, severe pain, and even damage to the surrounding teeth.

Contact Us

When it comes to dealing with an impacted tooth, we do not want you to suffer. That’s why our professionals are here to help! We can identify an impacted tooth and decide what the best course of action is. Regardless of whether you need dental surgery or some other treatment, Kruckman Family Dentistry is here to help. Of course, being proactive about this sort of situation is the best way to prevent serious pain. Come see us for regular cleanings and checkups, as well. We can see how your wisdom teeth are growing in and decide whether they are growing healthily and on the right path. Reach out to us now to schedule your appointment!