An impacted tooth is described as a tooth that cannot grow out through the gum. This is due to lack of enough space and tooth crowding. Impacted teeth can also be gene-related or occur due to a lack of proper and timely dental treatment. Teeth that are often impacted are wisdom teeth and canines. Although signs and symptoms of impacted teeth vary in different people, here are some ways to know if you have an impacted tooth.

Bad Breath or Halitosis

When your tooth has been impacted, it becomes difficult to clean. This is because it stores food residue at the back of your mouth, which is hard to reach when you are brushing. The accumulation of those food particles results in an infection. This causes a foul smell in your mouth and an unpleasant taste. If you have been experiencing halitosis, you might have an impacted tooth and need to visit your dentist for a check-up.

Red or Swollen Gums

An impacted tooth is very likely to irritate your gums. This is because it is hard to clean an impacted tooth, and as a result, bacteria breed in that area. Consequently, your gums may appear red, pinkish-red, swollen, or start to bleed easily even when carrying out normal activities like brushing. When an impacted tooth is not properly treated, it can result in a serious problem like periodontitis. In the case of bacterial infections, the doctor prescribes antibiotics and may recommend surgery to have the tooth extracted if the issue persists.

Mouth Pain

If you start experiencing discomfort in the mouth brought about by pain located at the back of the mouth, it may be because your wisdom tooth is impacted. The pain comes about when you open or close your mouth or while chewing or eating. This happens because the pressure from the jaw presses on the swelling. In addition to specialized treatment, the dentist may give you a prescription for over-the-counter drugs to help with the pain.

Jaw Pain

As wisdom teeth grow, they tend to push against the existing teeth, making them move. This causes stress on the jaw, resulting in much pain and discomfort. The soreness makes it difficult to open the mouth and sometimes impossible to perform basic tasks like brushing.

It is important to have a dentist check on any oral concerns as dental issues could easily become serious problems if not properly treated. Impacted teeth can also be prevented if they are attended to on time.