The Impact of an Impacted Tooth

A tooth is considered impacted when it only partially grows through the gums. This can happen because another tooth blocks it, or it grows in crookedly. The third molars (or wisdom teeth) typically erupt from age 17 to 21 and are the last teeth to appear, which is why they are the most likely teeth to become impacted – there’s usually no room left for them.

Although an impacted tooth does not always lead to pain or discomfort, the impaction can cause other problems. A partially erupted tooth can create an opening in the gum where food and other particles can accumulate, leading to gum infection. Impacted teeth can also develop tooth decay, and they can also push on adjacent teeth, causing all your teeth to shift. For these reasons, it’s usually recommended to have wisdom teeth extracted before the age of 21.

The younger you are the better (and faster) the surrounding tissue and bone will heal. That doesn’t mean you should ignore the symptoms if you’re over 21, though. No matter what age you are, if an impacted tooth is causing you pain, soreness, sensitivity or inflammation, it is best not to ignore it. Better to get treatment than unnecessarily endure pain and discomfort! Persistent pain or an infection usually means the tooth will need to be removed. If you are having issues with your wisdom teeth, let us know and we can give you a referral to a recommended oral surgeon.