5 Warning Signs Your Wisdom Teeth Are Impacted (And Need to Come Out)

Signs that your wisdom teeth are impacted include persistent pain in the jaw, bleeding or swollen gums, chewing difficulties, and even clear damage to the teeth in the surrounding area. Ignoring these warning signs could lead to further damage that may have a lasting effect on your dental health. 

With Cleveland Clinic reporting that impacted wisdom teeth affect around 90% of people, it's crucial to know what to look out for so you can act right away. 

We've put together this article to clear up any misunderstandings about wisdom tooth impaction. In our guide, you'll learn what impaction means, how to recognize impacted tooth signs, and what to expect during wisdom tooth removal. 

What Does "Impacted" Mean?

When a tooth gets stuck within the jawbone or the gums, it's called a dental impaction. This happens more often when there's overcrowding in the mouth, and teeth don't have enough room to emerge.

This is a condition that can cause many painful dental health symptoms, which will only get worse if left untreated. 

As a third set of molars set far back in the mouth, wisdom teeth are impacted more often than any other kind of tooth.

That's why it's important to learn how to recognize the signs of impaction so you can get dental treatment before the symptoms worsen. 

How to Recognize When Wisdom Teeth Are Impacted

Impaction symptoms are often painful and can lead to lasting damage if not dealt with quickly. The following symptoms are clear signs that it's time to find a trusted San Ramon dentist to help with the removal of your wisdom teeth. 

1. Persistent Jaw Pain

If you find yourself dealing with a persistent sharp, dull, or aching pain in the back of your jaw that won't go away even with regular over-the-counter pain medication, it's likely an impaction. The tooth is pushing against nerves and bone, instead of emerging on the correct path.

It causes a pain that is difficult to relieve without extraction. 

This kind of pain can radiate around the area as well, often reaching up to your ear or down your neck. It's also common to suffer from frequent headaches due to the tension and pressure caused by impacted teeth. 

Keep tabs on your pain, and write down things like: 

• Where the pain originates
• If OTC medication eliminates the pain
• How many days you've had the same pain

When you've dealt with this kind of pain for more than 3 consecutive days, it's time to see your San Ramon dentist for help.

2. Gum Issues

Impaction can cause havoc to your gums. You'll notice issues such as: 

• Bleeding
• Swelling
• Loose gum flaps
• Tenderness
• Discoloration

As the wisdom tooth forces its way through an incorrect path in your mouth, it pushes through the gums and causes damage. It'll continue to press against nerves and tissue until you have it removed. Since wisdom teeth already cause an overcrowding issue, most dentists recommend wisdom teeth removal rather than trying to save them. 

3. Chewing Difficulties

With pain and swelling, you'll find that you have trouble chewing normally. Yawning soon becomes a struggle. You might even have trouble opening your mouth at all. 

This is called trismus.

Wisdom teeth are so far back in the mouth near the hinge of the jaw, which makes their impaction even more painful. As infection spreads from the tooth area down through the jaw muscles, this effect worsens. 

Stiffness in the jaw can quickly become severe, which can then lead to difficulty breathing. Don't hesitate to seek medical help if you feel that you're struggling to breathe at any time. Make sure to schedule a visit with your dentist as soon as possible for a check-up and treatment as well. 

4. Constant Bad Breath

Bad breath is often seen as a social faux pas, but one of the best oral health tips to keep in mind is that your breath can tell you a lot. When you suffer from bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth no matter what you do to fix it, it's a sign that something's wrong. 

One such issue is impaction. Infection and trapped food in the partially emerged wisdom tooth will make bad breath persist even if you floss, brush, and use mouthwash on schedule. 

A way to double-check if your bad breath issues stem from impaction is to look for swollen lymph nodes. Test the area underneath your jaw and see if you feel any tenderness or pain. This is a sign that there could be an infection happening with your back molars and wisdom teeth that needs treatment. 

5. Damage to Surrounding Teeth

Once they begin to come in, wisdom teeth can cause a lot of damage as they emerge. They'll push other roots out of the way to try to make room for their own roots. They can even cause cracks to form on the enamel of other teeth if there's severe overcrowding.

Another issue to keep in mind is that this damage can also affect other dental work you've had in the past. 

Straightened teeth may quickly lose their cohesive look as wisdom teeth continue to emerge and shift other teeth around. All of those years you spent with braces might be at risk if a wisdom tooth is left unchecked. 

Common Impaction Health Risks

Many health issues stem from impactions that go without immediate treatment. The longer you wait to fix the problem, the more likely you may suffer from medical conditions such as: 

• Chronic gum inflammation
• Temporomandibular joint issues
• Cysts
• Bacterial infections
• Tumors

The best way to ensure none of these conditions occur is to get your wisdom teeth removed as soon as you realize they're not coming in whole and healthy. 

It's often in your best interest to make an appointment with your dentist to remove your wisdom teeth even if you experience no symptoms with them. Since overcrowding can cause a lot of damage, it's better to eliminate the teeth before they become a problem. 

What to Expect During Wisdom Teeth Removal

Your dentist will talk to you about numbing and sedation methods, which can vary depending on the severity of the impaction. They may need to use a deeper extraction method if the tooth is stuck within the jawbone. 

Sutures are a common way to speed up the healing process and lower the chance of complications. You'll need to see your dentist again after a few days to have them removed. 

It can take from 4 to 7 days for you to recover from the procedure, during which you'll need to relax and use ice packs to calm down any swelling. Taking time off work or school for these first few days is recommended to ensure you heal properly. 

The extraction area itself will take another week to heal, but you'll be able to return to your normal schedule after that initial week. Make sure to follow the diet restrictions your dentist gives you to ensure a healthy recovery. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What Triggers Wisdom Teeth to Grow In?

For most people, wisdom teeth begin coming in as you pass from a young teen into a young adult. This is due to biological factors that trigger as you mature in age, as well as the size of your jaw finally allowing the third set of molars to grow. The most common age range for wisdom teeth growth is between 17 and 25, but it can happen earlier, later, or even not at all.

What If I Let My Wisdom Teeth Grow?

It's possible to have wisdom teeth your entire life without any dental health symptoms, but this relies upon there being enough space in your mouth and jaw for them to grow without issue. Wisdom teeth removal is best done as early as possible, since roots have yet to form and the surrounding bone is softer.

These factors make recovery easier for the patient, which is why it's recommended to have wisdom teeth removed during your teenage years when possible. 

What Problems Can Wisdom Teeth Cause Later in Life? 

Even if your wisdom teeth come in healthy and whole, they can still cause potential issues as you age. They're difficult to clean with a normal toothbrush, and they can continue to put damaging pressure on surrounding teeth and gums. This can lead to many dental problems, including: 

• Gum diseases
• Infections
• Cavities
• Damaged roots
• Overcrowding

Are Wisdom Teeth Usually Impacted?

Yes, almost all wisdom teeth cause issues during growth. Whether it's due to lack of space or the teeth coming in at a bad angle, wisdom teeth are notorious for causing dental problems. 

Can Wisdom Teeth Removal Change Face Shape?



The good news is that removing your wisdom teeth has no effect on the shape of your face. Since they're situated so far in the back of the jaw, removing them doesn't make a difference in the appearance of your facial features. 

Seek Wisdom Teeth Pain Relief With Artisan Dental Studio

When your wisdom teeth are impacted, it can be a gruesome journey until you get the help you need. The key to ensuring a smooth extraction and recovery is choosing a local dental office you can trust. 

At Artisan Dental Studio, we take personalized dental procedures in San Ramon seriously. Our lead dentist worked as a traveling dentist, giving her exceptional experience treating a wide range of patients with all kinds of dental needs. We use her leadership to give each patient the compassionate care they deserve. 

Request an appointment with us to start soothing your wisdom teeth troubles as soon as possible!

Discover if your wisdom teeth are impacted with these 5 key signs. Don't ignore the warning signs—get the dental help you need today!