As your teeth develop, they should emerge vertically from your gumline. When all the chewing services are properly aligned, you can enjoy a functional bite and other benefits. Unfortunately, teeth do not always cooperate. Sometimes they grow sideways! This issue is particularly common with wisdom teeth, which are the third molars at the back of the mouth. Why can this happen, and what might it mean for your oral health? This blog post explains.
Why Do They Grow Sideways?
Wisdom teeth sometimes grow sideways simply because there is not enough room in the mouth to accommodate them. They may squeeze into your mouth in whatever position is possible, meaning that they may be at an angle. In some cases, they are completely horizontal and get stuck beneath the gumline (this situation is known as horizontal impaction).
Problems Caused by Sideways Wisdom Teeth
Sideways wisdom teeth have the potential to cause a range of problems, including:
- Pain. These teeth can push against the nearby teeth, causing discomfort.
- Increased risk of infection. Angled wisdom teeth that partially erupt from the gumline can be difficult to clean, meaning that they are more likely to get cavities and infections.
- Gum inflammation and infection. Impacted wisdom teeth are associated with an increased risk of pericoronitis (inflammation) and gum disease (infection of the gum tissue).
- Cysts. Impacted wisdom teeth are at a higher risk of causing cysts to develop. These can cause pain and inflammation. In some cases, they can even damage the jawbone.
What Can You Do?
Here are some tips to help you avoid the problems that may arise due to horizontally impacted wisdom teeth:
- Visit your dentist regularly. During routine checkups, your dentist can monitor your wisdom teeth. If problems seem imminent, they may recommend that you undergo extractions. Some patients choose to get their wisdom teeth removed as a purely precautionary measure.
- Seek help if you start to experience pain. If you notice pain or other symptoms around your wisdom teeth, you should visit your dentist as soon as possible.
- Be diligent about dental hygiene. If your wisdom teeth are partially erupted, you might be able to avoid some problems by being extra-thorough when brushing and flossing the back area of your mouth.
Sideways wisdom teeth can cause trouble! Talk to your dentist to learn if you should get your third molars removed.
Meet the Practice
At Advanced Dentistry of Alhambra, we are proud to have an in-house oral surgeon who can handle even complex wisdom teeth extractions. We strive to make every procedure as comfortable as possible for patients. If you are concerned about the health of your third molars, our team is ready to evaluate the situation and recommend your next steps. Get in touch with us at 626-289-6131.