What Is An Impacted Tooth?

An impacted tooth is a type of tooth that fails to make it through the gum for some reason. It is possible that some teeth can only be impacted partially. This implies that they had begun to break through the gum. In many cases, impacted teeth don't manifest any symptoms and can only be discovered through X-rays.

This piece helps you discover more about impacted teeth, so go through it in its entirety.

What Are The Symptoms of Impacted Tooth?

Individuals with impacted teeth might have red, swollen, or bleeding gums. However, these symptoms are not prevalent and are, therefore, hard to notice among affected patients. Some people might also develop bad breath if they have impacted teeth.

You should see a doctor if you have a bad taste in your mouth or you have difficulty opening your mouth, as these might be signs of impacted teeth. Pain when biting and chewing or pain, as you try to open your mouth, might also indicate a similar problem.

Which Tooth is Likely to Be Impacted?

Wisdom teeth appear between ages 17 and 21 and are normally the last to grow. They're also the teeth that are most likely to be impacted.

What happens is that wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, come out when your jaw is fully grown. In that case, your jaw and mouth might not have enough room to accommodate them.

Luckily, there’s no real need for third molars. Therefore, they’re always removed in case they’re problematic. Most people with small jaws and mouths are likely to have impacted teeth.

Maxillary canines can also be easily impacted. These can also be called the upper eyeteeth. However, these teeth play an integral role in your mouth. In that case, your doctor might recommend a solution that helps erupt them instead of getting rid of them.

How to Manage Pain for Impacted Teeth

Impacted teeth should not be painful. However, if you feel any pain, you might want to use over-the-counter drugs from trusted experts. Aspirin is one of the best pain relievers for mild to moderate pain caused by impacted teeth.

While aspirin might be a good solution, it must not be given to children under the age of 18 years. This is because aspirin can enhance the chances of Reye’s Syndrome among young people.

It’s also possible to use ice to reduce inflammation. Try to swish warm water if the ice doesn’t do the magic for you. Still, there’re many home remedies you can use to reduce the pain caused by impacted teeth. Just make sure they contain natural ingredients and cannot cause negative health implications among users.

See a certified pharmacist or doctor if you try any of these techniques, and the pain persists. They'll give you a good pain reliever.

Final Thoughts

An impacted teeth happen when one or more of your teeth fail to break through the jawbone. Instead, they get stuck somewhere in the middle. The symptoms can be mild to severe. In case you feel pain, some of the tips shared above can come in handy. Comment below if you have any questions about impacted teeth.