You recently had your emergency dentist take an X-ray of your jaw in order to determine the current state of your wisdom teeth. After the necessary images were captured, a surprising discovery was made: your wisdom teeth are currently growing sideways. How exactly did this happen? And what does it mean for your oral health? The answers to both questions can be found below.
Why are Your Wisdom Teeth Growing Sideways?
As you’re probably aware, the wisdom teeth erupt much later than the rest of your smile. Some people have enough room in their jaws for these extra teeth, allowing them to emerge without any problems. Unfortunately, more often than not there simply isn’t enough space available in the mouth. Consequently, the wisdom teeth may end up growing sideways or at an angle.
What are the Consequences of Wisdom Teeth Growing Sideways?
Sideways wisdom teeth typically become impacted, meaning they are unable to emerge from beneath your gums. Having any number of impacted wisdom teeth can be a very serious oral health issue; here are just some of the consequences that you may end up suffering:
- Impacted wisdom teeth may end up causing problems for your other teeth, pushing them out of their proper alignment and potentially damaging them.
- Impacted wisdom teeth can increase your risk of suffering from a serious infection of the gums.
- Impacted wisdom teeth can result in chronic pain in your jaw, which can take a significant toll on your quality of life.
What Can You Do If Your Wisdom Teeth Are Growing Sideways?
In many cases, the best option is to have your problematic wisdom teeth extracted as soon as possible. Doing so can potentially help you avoid even worse complications in the future. Note that impacted wisdom teeth typically have to be removed surgically; the gum tissue will need to be opened in order to access the teeth. Rest assured that steps will be taken to help you stay comfortable for the duration of the procedure.
Having your wisdom teeth grow sideways can lead to all sorts of dental problems, but luckily you can protect your smile by being proactive about seeking care when you need it. The sooner you have your impacted wisdom teeth diagnosed, the easier it will be to avoid long-term issues. Make a point of calling your dentist as soon as possible if you have recently noticed pain near the back of your jaw or any other symptoms that might point toward impacted wisdom teeth.
About the Practice
At Oak Ridge Dental, our dentists are committed to bringing San Ramon patients high-quality, convenient care in a safe, comfortable environment. Patients who have impacted wisdom teeth or another type of dental emergency can count on us for care. To schedule a consultation at Oak Ridge Dental, visit our website or call (925) 735-6190.
