October 24, 2025
Wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, are the last set of molars to come through — usually between the ages of 17 and 25. For many, these teeth yet erupt without any problems. However, in many cases, wisdom teeth are impacted, meaning they lack sufficient room to erupt or develop properly. At King Street Dental Centre, we have noticed that impacted wisdom teeth can cause damage to your oral health before they are identified and addressed.
In this post, we’re going to talk about what impacted wisdom teeth are and tell you what you should be on the lookout for, as well as how they can affect your oral health.
What Are Impacted Wisdom Teeth?
An impacted wisdom tooth is a tooth that does not emerge into the mouth properly because other teeth, bone, or soft tissue block its path. This can occur when there is not enough space in the mouth, or when a tooth grows around at an angle.
Impaction is generally of four types:
- Mesial impaction: The tooth moves into the front of the mouth.
- Vertical impaction: The tooth has attempted to grow straight up but is entirely stuck below the gum.
- Horizontal: The tooth is flat on a plane, and it pushes against the forward molar.
- Distal: The tooth is at an angle directed toward the back of the mouth.
Regardless of the type of impaction, it can cause physical discomfort and complications if left uncorrected.
Common Symptoms of Impacted Wisdom Teeth
Not all impacted wisdom teeth cause pain immediately, but when they do, the symptoms can be quite overwhelming. Common signs include:
- Gum or Jaw Swelling/Tenderness
- Inability to open the mouth or chew
- Halitosis or an unpleasant taste
- Gums that are red, puffy or bleed in the back of your mouth
- Persistent headaches or jaw pain
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, contact your Waterloo dentist at King Street Dental Centre to schedule an examination.
How Impacted Wisdom Teeth Affect Oral Health
Left untreated, wisdom teeth problems can lead to numerous oral health issues over time. Here’s how they can impact your mouth:
Infection and Gum Disease: The partial eruption of wisdom teeth allows pockets of bacteria to form. This can then cause gum inflammation, infection and pericoronitis, a painful condition when the tissue surrounding the tooth becomes inflamed.
Tooth Crowding and Misalignment: Trapped wisdom teeth can push up against neighbouring molars, causing overcrowding or movement of your other teeth. It can often reverse years of orthodontic treatment and may alter the way the teeth are aligned in relation to each other.
Tooth Decay: Impacted teeth, behind the second molar, are impossible to brush and floss adequately, and therefore are more susceptible to caries. The bacteria that accumulate on them can also be transferred to surrounding teeth.
Cysts or Jaw Damage: In some instances, an impacted wisdom tooth can give rise to a cyst — a fluid-filled sac that can destroy the jawbone or displace surrounding nerves if not treated.
Chronic Pain and Headaches: The force from blocked teeth may cause chronic jaw pain, earaches, and even headaches due to tension in surrounding muscles.
Diagnosis and Treatment Options
One of our dentists at King Street Dental Centre will be able to determine the position of your wisdom teeth by taking digital X-rays, as well as 3D imaging. Treatment will depend on the amount of impaction and can include:
- Observation: If your tooth appears asymptomatic, your dentist may advise monitoring it with periodic checkups.
- Pulling them: Painful or problematic wisdom teeth should be removed surgically.
- Pain control: Medication or irrigation with a rinse can be used for temporary relief before or after extraction.
At our practice, we extract teeth safely and comfortably under the highest standards of care.
Prevention and Aftercare Tips
Your wisdom teeth may not be causing you pain at the moment, but regular dental visits can help detect potential issues early. After Wisdom teeth removal, these tips will help ensure a smooth recovery:
- Apply cold packs to minimize swelling.
- After that, stick to soft foods for a few days.
- Avoid smoking or using straws.
- It needs to be kept clean as recommended by your dentist.
Taking care of them can prevent complications such as dry sockets or infections.
Conclusion
Struggling with impacted wisdom teeth? Regular visits to the dentist, combined with early detection and prompt treatment of dental issues, can help prevent pain, infection, and long-term damage.
At King Street Dental Centre, we offer safe and painless assessments and removals of wisdom teeth. Our skilled dental staff will ensure that your treatment is precise and gentle, allowing you to enjoy a beautiful, pain-free smile.
Call King Street Dental Centre today to book your wisdom tooth consultation and be one step closer to improving the health of your mouth.