One of the most common complaints of Midlothian patients experiencing wisdom tooth impaction is a general soreness of the tissue surrounding the wisdom tooth coming in. Wisdom teeth can become impacted when there is not enough room in our jawbone for them to fully erupt properly, like the rest of our teeth will. This causes the wisdom teeth to push into eruption, or attempt to, no matter the angle at which they are trying to come in.
Oral Infections and Wisdom Teeth Complications
Often wisdom teeth are partially erupted. Partially erupted wisdom teeth are half covered by bone, or partially exposed to the oral cavity. In most cases you can see just a small portion of the wisdom tooth trying to erupt through the gums. This often leads to a common condition called pericoronitis. Pericoronitis is when a wisdom tooth is partially erupted with a flap of gum tissue covering a portion of the tooth. This flap of extra gum tissue can become inflamed and very sore to the individual experiencing it.
Difficulty Cleaning Wisdom Teeth, Spreading Infection
When there is extra gum tissue covering the chewing surface of a wisdom tooth, it can be extremely difficult to keep it clean. Often food debris and bacteria will get trapped beneath this flap of tissue and can cause symptoms including:
- Soreness and swelling of tissues
- Tender to touch or when trying to clean that area
- White like discharge when applying pressure
- Bad smelling breath
- Bad taste in your mouth that you can’t seem to get rid of
While a dental provider can recommend certain hygiene techniques at home such as a water flosser to help flush out bacteria, this is usually a short-term fix and requires surgical interventions. Typically, the options will include lasering off the excess tissue or removal of the entire wisdom tooth.
Does Everyone Need Their Wisdom Teeth Removed?
While every patient’s case is different and not ALL individuals will require a wisdom tooth extraction, removing the tooth is usually beneficial in the long run. If a wisdom tooth is barely fitting in place and you consistently have difficulty keeping this tooth clean, it runs the risk of developing infection. Ultimately, that means tooth decay and bone less surrounding the tooth.
If a wisdom tooth is left alone and develops bone less from infection, there is a chance this can jeopardize the adjacent “second molars”. These molars, also known as the 12-year molars, are essential for chewing and preserving the alignment of your overall smile. To ensure the rest of your teeth are not impacted in a negative way, it is best to have an oral surgeon in Ellis County evaluate the status of your wisdom teeth.
At Texas Institute of Oral, Facial & Implant Surgery, our wisdom tooth specialist will evaluate the status of your third molars. At that point, we can determine what the best treatment options are for your specific oral health needs. If you are in Waxahachie, Cedar Hill, Mansfield or the Ellis County area and have concerns regarding your wisdom teeth, give Texas Institute of Oral, Facial & Implant Surgery a call today at 469-649-8259.