Dentistry Expert Dr. Jonice Thompson Withanachchi: Impacted Wisdom Teeth

When you hear the dentist say your wisdom teeth are impacted, he / she means they are trapped in your jaw or under your gums. The wisdom teeth, or your third molars, usually erupt into the oral cavity between the ages of 17 and 21. When they come out properly, they can help you chew.
As they make their way through your gums, your dentist will be looking for the following signs: • Wisdom teeth that don't come out properly can allow food to become trapped, potentially creating a breeding ground for cavity-causing bacteria • Wisdom teeth that have partially erupted can give bacteria a place to get inside the gums and cause infection(s). This can cause pain, swelling, and stiffness. • Wisdom teeth that don't have room to grow may crowd or damage the roots of nearby teeth