Impacted Wisdom Teeth - Lose Them or Leave Them?

An impacted tooth is a tooth that gets blocked as it is pushing through the gum into your mouth. Commonly, a wisdom tooth becomes impacted. Wisdom teeth, also known as the third molars, usually begin to come in between the ages of 17 and 21. In most cases they may become impacted due to the lack of room in your mouth. They may also come in sideways or be tilted in your jaw, affecting your bite or cutting into the tongue or cheek.
It is possible to have an impacted tooth and not be aware of it, as some are painless. When an impacted wisdom tooth tries to come in it can become infected and swollen. It may cause you pain in nearby teeth, or even in the ear on that side of your face. 
If untreated, an impacted tooth can lead to an infection called pericoronitis. This infection can spread to the throat or into the neck. Impacted teeth can get cavities, cause your teeth to shift due to pressure on neighboring teeth and they can contribute to gum disease. 
Visit your dentist regularly. He can tell you if you have an impacted tooth, or whether you are at risk for one with a simple x-ray.  Remember, the longer you wait to have an impacted tooth exposed or extracted (especially a wisdom tooth) the more difficult can be to treat! 


Don't wait for a toothache!  Keep Smiling!