An impacted tooth has not erupted all the way through the gums. Often, these teeth make their presence known through discomfort—but what if you aren’t experiencing any pain?
Can you simply leave it alone? You should always seek professional advice when dealing with an impacted tooth. Here are a few severe complications that could arise if an impacted tooth is left untreated.
Why Getting Teeth Extracted is Sometimes Necessary
An impacted tooth usually fails to erupt fully because there is simply not enough room in the jaw. This means that your jaw will remain crowded if you ignore the issue, making molar teeth removal or getting teeth extracted a necessary discussion. Leaving the tooth alone can damage adjacent teeth and negatively alter your alignment and bite.
Gum Disease
If the impacted tooth remains trapped, it threatens more than just your jaw structure. Your gums can become chronically sore, leading to painful swelling and excess bleeding. This makes eating difficult and can even make talking uncomfortable.
Dental Abscess
Ignoring the need for surgical teeth removal can lead to an abscess—a small, painful pocket of pus in the gums right next to the impacted tooth. If left untreated, an abscess will cause a severe infection that can spread rapidly, not only through your mouth but throughout your entire body. An abscess is a dental emergency; you do not want to take that chance.
Tooth Decay
Because they are hard to clean, partially impacted teeth easily trap food and bacteria, leading to rapid tooth decay. This decay causes throbbing pain, chronic bad breath, and structural damage.
Key Takeaways: The Risks of Impacted Teeth
- Bite Misalignment: Impacted teeth push against your healthy teeth, ruining orthodontic work and causing overcrowding.
- Silent Damage: Just because an impacted tooth doesn’t hurt right now doesn’t mean it isn’t causing internal damage or decay to neighboring roots.
- Systemic Infection Risk: An untreated dental abscess from an impacted tooth can introduce dangerous bacteria into your bloodstream.
- Early Intervention is Key: Proactive surgical teeth removal is much easier—and less painful—than treating a severe infection down the road.
If you suspect you have an impacted tooth, do not ignore it. Make an appointment so our team can evaluate it immediately. Don’t wait for pain to strike. Schedule your molar teeth removal assessment with our expert team today.