You might hear people talking about having impacted Teeth, but aren’t sure what that means. Even though they say that what you don’t know cannot hurt you, in this case, that is not true. Impacted teeth can affect your oral health in several ways, especially before and after getting braces. On this blog, you will find out what impact teeth have and when a dentist at Chatswood recommends treatment. Learn more below!

What Are Impacted Teeth?

Impacted teeth are teeth that do not “erupt” normally through the gums. Teeth can experience total impact, which you cannot see at all under the gum tissue, or partial impact when only a portion of the tooth has entered.

Most commonly, Wisdom Teeth (also called third molars) are affected because there is not enough space in the jaw to contain them. In many cases, it is a good idea to have an impact on wisdom teeth taken after orthodontic treatment to prevent them from affecting the orthodontic teeth.

The second most common tooth that will be affected is the upper canine tooth. Because canines are very important for healthy smiles and harmonious bites, dentists will usually recommend treatments to help these teeth grow properly. This is often done as part of overall orthodontic treatment.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms?

In some cases, impacted teeth do not show any symptoms, but that does not mean they cannot cause problems on the road. In this case, you might not know that you have mashed teeth until a dentist or orthodontist does an x-ray.

Teeth that are partially affected are more likely to cause signs and symptoms because they create “folds” or pockets of gum tissue that collect plaque and bacteria. Because this area is very difficult to clean, serious infections can occur.

In this case, here are some signs and symptoms that can develop:

• Swelling, soft gum tissue in the area
• Bad taste in the mouth or chronic bad breath
• Pain or difficulty opening your mouth
• Discomfort when chewing
• These symptoms can come and go or remain constant

Why Do Impacted Teeth Need Treatment?

Sometimes, wisdom teeth that are fully affected are left out. In other cases, wisdom teeth that are partially affected are at risk of causing infection or putting pressure on other teeth, so tooth extraction is usually recommended.

If someone has canines, they need to be treated before orthodontic treatment can continue. These teeth act as “anchors” of the mouth, making it difficult to move forward with braces in Chatswood until they are in place.

The best way to determine the right course of action is to consult with a dentist or dentist. After assessing your needs, they will make the best recommendations for your long-term oral health.