Teeth are expected to grow upright on their own. However, when they don’t, they cause various oral issues. Tooth impaction is one issue when a tooth does not grow well. It happens when there is an obstruction or not enough room to accommodate all teeth. Therefore, the tooth may be stuck inside the gum while growing in the wrong direction. Some adults have several impacted teeth, especially wisdom teeth. Children also experience impacted teeth when losing their baby teeth. Sometimes impacted teeth can be painful and cause chewing problems when not treated. It can also bring other oral health issues. Therefore, doctors recommend wisdom tooth extraction Mississauga in adults to eliminate this problem. Here is an overview of tooth impaction.
The Causes of Tooth Impaction
Impacted teeth are embedded in the gum or bone and might affect the surrounding teeth. Mainly, they cause overcrowding. Tooth impaction can happen in children when teething starts. If the baby teeth don’t fall off as they should, the new ones start to grow along them, causing impaction. It also happens in adults when there is not enough room at the end of the mouth. Therefore, the wisdom teeth may have an issue growing correctly, leading to impaction.
It is hard to predict the cause of tooth impaction. However, it happens to the issues discussed above. The best way to deal with tooth impaction is by getting the help of an orthodontist.
Symptoms of Tooth Impaction
Some people don’t feel any difference or discomfort during impaction. Therefore, they might not notice it until there are visible signs. However, some symptoms can help you know if you have impacted teeth. Such include:
Bad breathe. Crowding and bad angling of teeth can encourage bacteria and plaque buildup. This causes bad breathe. Lousy breathe because of tooth impaction means you risk more issues like cavities, tooth decay, and gum disease.
Problem chewing. Since teeth lack enough space to erupt, they start growing at the wrong angle. Therefore, they may affect the neighboring teeth and cause discomfort. Therefore, you may feel pain when chewing.
Redness and swelling. Impaction causes pain in the affected areas. As the tooth is struggling to erupt through the gum, it can cause redness and swelling. Sometime the gum might bleed too.
Effects of Impacted Teeth
If the issue is not rectified early enough, it can cause various issues like:
- Jaw pain
- Headaches
- Abscesses
- Tooth decay
- Tooth loss
- Periodontitis
- Chewing problems
- Damage to surrounding teeth
- Cosmetic problems
Treatment Options for Impacted Teeth
Several treatments are available for impacted teeth. The orthodontist requires examining the teeth using an X-ray to determine the nature and severity of the impaction. The condition will help them determine the best treatment. Adult impacted teeth can be treated through extraction. Wisdom teeth extraction is a common treatment option for impacted teeth in adults.
Braces are also helpful in rectifying the issue. They support the teeth and help to straighten them. This way, they help make room for the teeth that are about to erupt.
In Conclusion
Tooth impaction causes different issues. Therefore it is crucial to get treatment to rectify the problem. Find a reliable clinic and get the tooth extracted to give room to surrounding teeth. Most importantly, maintain your oral health when you have impacted teeth.
