Impaction of teeth or hidden teeth is a condition of teeth trapped in the gums. Generally, tooth impaction occurs in adult wisdom teeth. Impaction of teeth makes a person more vulnerable to tooth decay and gum disease.
Normally, adults have 32 teeth including 4 wisdom teeth. Wisdom teeth or third molars usually grow when a person is aged between 17 years and early 20s. In many people, wisdom teeth cannot grow normally, either because they are trapped under the gums or only part of the tooth surface is able to penetrate the gums. This condition is called tooth impaction.
Dental impaction is quite common and is often not accompanied by pain. But many also feel pain if wisdom teeth grow sideways or do not emerge from the gum surface.
Causes of Dental Impaction
Dental impaction can occur due to the following reasons:
- The jaw is too small so that there is not enough room for the teeth to grow.
- Teeth become crooked or tilted when trying to grow.
- Teeth have grown in an irregular position, thus blocking the wisdom teeth.
However, experts believe that tooth impaction has a domino effect, which is when the teeth that grow sideways press the teeth next to it, so the result is irregular growth of teeth. These irregular teeth can cause chewing problems.
Symptoms and Ways to Overcome Dental Impaction
Submerged or partially grown teeth can cause food scraps to get stuck. In addition, bacteria are also easier to enter, causing pain and swelling of the gums. The position of the hidden tooth in the back makes it difficult to reach by a toothbrush.
Leftover food tucked in the area, if not cleaned, can trigger pericoronitis. Pericoronitis is an inflammatory condition of the gum tissue around the teeth. Disorders that can arise due to impacted teeth can cause symptoms such as swollen gums, soft gums, and bad breath. Other symptoms of dental impaction include:
- Teeth appear only slightly on the gum surface.
- Pain in the jaw.
- Prolonged headache.
- Swollen and reddish gums around pent teeth.
- Trouble opening mouth.
- Neck glands swell.
- Toothache when biting, especially in areas that have impacted teeth.
Dental impaction does not require special treatment if it does not cause complaints. If a complaint arises, consult a dentist immediately. Because if left unchecked, infected teeth will cause complications, such as periodontitis, tooth or gum abscess, severe pain, malocclusion or irregular arrangement of teeth, dental plaque formation, and nerve damage around the tooth. Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to treat teeth that are infected with bacteria.
Before complaints arise, especially complications, you are advised to pull teeth that have impacted before the age of 20 years. At this age, tooth roots are not fully developed, making it easier to remove. As we get older, tooth roots and bones get stronger, so that the process of removing teeth becomes increasingly difficult, and the healing process will take longer.
Removal of hidden teeth must be done through wisdom teeth surgery. This action is done if the location of the teeth are in the gums. Consult a dentist if you are considering doing this procedure.
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