Being ill is bad enough, but if you have an impacted tooth, it will cause you much more discomfort.
If your tooth is impeding the roots of your teeth, it will cause trouble for the tooth growing, or to make room for your adult teeth, you need to get it checked out.
To make sure something isn’t going on with your mouth, you need to be aware of signs of an impacted tooth. Listed below are five main signs of an impacted tooth.
1. Headache That Worsens When You Bite Down
A headache that worsens when you bite down may be a sign of an impacted tooth. Generally, an impacted tooth becomes stuck in the jawbone or the gum tissue and may push on the adjacent teeth or nerve endings.
This may also be accompanied by jaw pain, swollen gums, an increase in dental sensitivity, and throbbing pains that extend to the face, eyes, or neck. A person may also experience pain when they move their head or when drinking hot or cold fluids.
2. Infection of the Gums
Signs of an impacted tooth may include radiating pain in the area of the impacted tooth. A feeling of pressure or fullness in the mouth can also signal possible the presence of an impacted tooth.
When gums become infected, the area may become red, swollen, and tender. The gums may also bleed easily when brushing or flossing.
People with an impacted tooth are more likely to develop gum infection, which needs to be promptly treated to prevent further damage.
3. Jaw Swelling
Signs of an impacted tooth may include jaw swelling, which occurs because of excess pressure on the surrounding soft tissue and the jawbone. Jaw swelling can cause pain and discomfort, and difficulty when trying to open the mouth or chew.
Reduced jaw movement or deviation in jaw alignment is another indication of an impacted tooth, as the tooth’s position may prevent proper movement of the jaw.
It is critical to have these and any other symptoms examined by a dentist as soon as possible, as jaw swelling due to an impacted tooth can be a sign of an abscess or other serious issues and may need immediate wisdom teeth extractions.
4. Bumps Along the Gums
An impacted tooth is when a tooth remains under the gum line and does not erupt properly. When this occurs, it can cause a variety of dental problems, such as bumps along the gum line.
These bumps often have a swollen, tender, red appearance and can be painful to the touch. Additionally, there may be hard pain or swelling in the gums that can persist for several days.
5. Shifting and Overlapping Teeth
Impacted teeth occur when incoming teeth have difficulty emerging through the gum line. Signs of an impacted tooth may include shifting and overlapping of surrounding teeth; teeth may be crowded or shifted to accommodate the impacted tooth.
If an impacted tooth remains unresolved, it can cause bone damage, dental decay, gum disease, and crowding of adjacent teeth. Shifting and overlapping of teeth is a clear sign of an impacted tooth, so it is important to visit a dentist when this is observed for proper dental care.
Signs of Impacted Tooth Explained
An impacted tooth can cause many oral health issues and should be addressed as soon as possible. If you experience any of the signs of an impacted tooth, such as pain, difficulty opening your mouth, or swelling, you should contact your dentist immediately for an evaluation.
Don’t ignore the warning signs. Act now to keep your smile healthy!
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