Is My Tooth Impacted?
An impacted tooth is a tooth that has not erupted naturally through the gumline to grow into a normal position on its own. The tooth remains stuck in your gum tissue or bone. This can lead to further problems and other concerns if left untreated.
There are several different causes of an impacted tooth, and an assortment of treatment options. The following is a quick review to help you understand an impacted tooth, why it might be important to treat it, and how your dentist can provide you a successful solution.
What is an Impacted Tooth?
An impacted tooth occurs when the tooth cannot erupt properly on its own. Something is obstructing its movement, like a baby tooth not falling out, or there is just not enough room for all your teeth. This will cause the tooth to get stuck, sometimes barely erupting through the gumline, or not visible at all, remaining beneath the gums.
You might have a few impacted teeth, or just one, or none. This all depends on the causes of the impacted teeth and how they grow in. It all depends on your unique set of teeth.
While an impacted tooth might not cause you any pain or discomfort, and you might not even know it is there, it is important to keep an eye on it, and in some cases treat it accordingly.
What Causes an Impacted Tooth?
There are several causes of an impacted tooth, and an impacted tooth can be caused by just one or multiple of the following factors. Common causes of an impacted tooth:
- The tooth has grown at an angle such it that will not fit, so progress has stopped.
- Other teeth in your arch are overcrowded, leaving no space for the impacted tooth to grow into.
- Your arch or jaw is too small to fit any more teeth.
- The impacted tooth is too large to fit in the space.
- Genetic factors which also affect your teeth or jaw.
- Accidental damage to a baby tooth can also affect the impacted adult tooth beneath it.
What are the Signs or Symptoms of an Impacted Tooth?
You may be able to see your impacted tooth. Sometimes it is visible at your gumline yet still stuck from growing in further. Or, it could be still entirely embedded in the gums, and you cannot see it.
X-rays will help your dentist evaluate and identify the location of the impacted tooth, even when you cannot see it.
Other signs that can be evidence of an impacted tooth:
- You have consistent bad breath.
- A bad taste has developed in your mouth.
- Discomfort, pain, or tender gums.
- Red or swollen gums.
- Gaps or spacing appearing between your teeth.
- Frequent headaches.
- Frequent jaw aches.
- Opening your mouth becomes painful.
- Difficulty or even pain while biting, chewing, or swallowing.
- Premature or delayed loss of baby teeth.
If your teeth are crowded in an arch, it can be hard to determine whether a tooth has grown in by looking at your teeth. An examination by your dentist is essential since they will take x-rays to identify the tooth which has not grown properly.
If you have any of these symptoms, see your dentist to examine your teeth, take x-rays and diagnostic records, and evaluate whether your impacted tooth needs treatment.