Maybe you found out about your impacted tooth after routine X-rays at the dentist. Or maybe you were diagnosed with one after you made an appointment for tooth pain and other bothersome symptoms.
No matter how it happened, you know you have an impacted tooth. And now you’re wondering what to do next.
Impacted teeth are very common — especially for teenagers and young adults who still have their wisdom teeth. An impacted tooth is one that gets trapped below your gum line, and it can’t fully emerge like a healthy tooth would.
It can be tempting to ignore an impacted tooth, but doing so could put you at risk for dental complications later on. When you find yourself with an impacted tooth, turn to Walied Touni, DDS, MSD, and our team at Touni Orthodontics in Sunnyvale, California.
Here’s why you shouldn’t ignore your impacted tooth.
An impacted tooth doesn’t always hurt at first. But the longer it’s left untreated, the greater your risk of oral pain.
Since your impacted tooth is trapped under your gums, it can trigger irritation and inflammation. Common symptoms of an impacted tooth include swollen gums, jaw pain, and tooth sensitivity. The worse the impacted tooth gets, the more likely you’ll notice pain when you bite, chew, and open your mouth.
Healthy, straight teeth are accessible and easy to clean. But crowded, impacted teeth are difficult (and sometimes, impossible) to reach and clean.
That means ignoring your impacted tooth could increase your risk of tooth decay and infection. A decaying or infected tooth can be painful and sensitive. You might also notice a bad taste in your mouth or have particularly bad breath.
Impacted teeth often get stuck under your gums because there isn’t enough room in your mouth for them to emerge properly. Whether your impacted tooth is partially visible or not, it could be pressing against nearby teeth.
Over time, an impacted tooth can cause misalignments and premature wear to the healthy teeth that are next to it. It pushes against those teeth, making them shift and changing the look of your smile.
Eventually, ignoring an impacted tooth can begin affecting your overall mouth function. Jaw pain and swelling can make opening your mouth difficult. Pain and sensitivity also contribute to difficulty biting and chewing food. In severe cases, an impacted tooth can even cause sinus cavity problems.
Instead of ignoring your impacted tooth, take care of it at Touni Orthodontics. Dr. Touni and our team specialize in diagnosing and treating impacted teeth so you can get back to your life.
Contact us to get your appointment scheduled. Call our office at 408-412-5249 or request an appointment online now.
