Impacted Wisdom Teeth: Causes and Symptoms

An impacted wisdom tooth is one of the most common reasons people in Hyderabad experience sudden jaw pain, swelling near the back teeth, or repeated gum infections. Wisdom teeth (third molars) usually erupt between ages 17–25, but when there isn’t enough space—or when the tooth grows in the wrong direction—it can get “stuck” under the gum or against the neighboring molar.

At Dr Gowds Dental Hospitals, we frequently see patients who ignore early warning signs until pain becomes intense. The good news is: impacted wisdom teeth can be diagnosed early with a clinical exam and an X-ray, and the right treatment can prevent long-term complications.

If you’re dealing with back-tooth pain, swelling, or difficulty opening your mouth, book a consultation at Dr Gowds Dental Hospitals and visit your nearest Hyderabad branch for an expert evaluation. 

Why Impacted Wisdom Teeth Are So Common in Hyderabad

Wisdom tooth problems are common everywhere, but in busy cities like Hyderabad, people often delay dental visits due to work hours, traffic, and scheduling. Unfortunately, impacted wisdom teeth can worsen quickly—especially if infection develops.

Many patients first try:

• Painkillers
  
• Home rinses
  
• “Waiting it out”
  

But if the tooth is impacted, symptoms may keep returning until the root cause is treated.

What Does “Impacted Wisdom Tooth” Actually Mean?

An impacted wisdom tooth is a wisdom tooth that cannot fully erupt into the mouth in a normal position.

It may be:

• Partially impacted: part of the tooth is visible, part is trapped under gum
  
• Fully impacted: completely trapped under gum and/or bone
  

Impaction can happen due to:

• Lack of space in the jaw
  
• Wrong growth angle
  
• Thick gum tissue
  
• Obstruction by the second molar
  

Types of Impacted Wisdom Teeth

1) Mesioangular Impaction (Most Common)

The tooth tilts forward, pushing into the tooth in front of it. This can cause:

• Food trapping
  
• Gum swelling
  
• Pressure and pain
  

2) Vertical Impaction

The tooth is upright but cannot erupt due to lack of space.

3) Distoangular Impaction

The tooth tilts backward and can be harder to remove depending on depth.

4) Horizontal Impaction

The tooth grows sideways into the second molar, increasing risk of:

• Damage to the adjacent tooth
  
• Severe pain
  
• Complicated extraction
  

Impacted Wisdom Tooth Causes

Lack of Space in the Jaw

Modern jaws are often smaller due to dietary changes over generations. When there isn’t enough space, wisdom teeth may become impacted instead of erupting normally.

Wrong Eruption Path

Sometimes the tooth develops at an angle and heads toward the second molar rather than rising upward.

Late Eruption + Tight Teeth

If your teeth are already crowded, wisdom teeth have fewer chances to come in properly.

Genetic Factors

Family history plays a role. If your parents had impacted wisdom teeth, you may be more likely to have them too.

Impacted Wisdom Tooth Symptoms

Not every impacted tooth causes pain immediately. Some remain “silent” for years. But when symptoms start, they tend to return repeatedly.

Common impacted wisdom tooth symptoms include:

• Pain at the back of the mouth (one side or both)
  
• Swollen gums behind the molars
  
• Redness and tenderness in the gum flap
  
• Bad breath or bad taste (often due to trapped food/infection)
  
• Difficulty opening the mouth fully
  
• Pain while chewing
  
• Jaw stiffness, especially in the morning
  
• Headache or ear-area discomfort (referred pain)
  
• Swelling of the cheek or jawline
  
• Bleeding gums near the back tooth
  

Signs You Should Not Ignore

If you notice any of the following, you should seek a dental evaluation soon:

• Swelling that is increasing
  
• Fever or feeling unwell
  
• Pus discharge near the back tooth
  
• Difficulty swallowing
  
• Severe pain that wakes you up
  

These may suggest infection and require urgent attention.

Complications If Impacted Wisdom Teeth Are Left Untreated

Gum Infection (Pericoronitis)

When a partially erupted wisdom tooth leaves a gum flap, food and bacteria get trapped. This can lead to repeated swelling and pain.

Tooth Decay

Impacted teeth are hard to clean. You may develop cavities in:

• The wisdom tooth
  
• The neighboring second molar
  

Damage to the Adjacent Tooth

A sideways impacted tooth can press on the second molar and cause:

• Root damage
  
• Bone loss
  
• Increased sensitivity
  

Cysts (Rare but Possible)

Fluid-filled cysts can develop around impacted teeth and may damage bone and nearby teeth.

Crowding and Bite Changes (Case-Dependent)

Not everyone experiences crowding from wisdom teeth, but in some cases, pressure can contribute to:

• Tightness in the back teeth
  
• Bite discomfort
  
• Orthodontic relapse after braces
  

If alignment is a concern, you can talk to an orthodontist and explore aligner treatment after the wisdom tooth issue is addressed.

How Dentists Diagnose an Impacted Wisdom Tooth

At Dr Gowds Dental Hospitals, diagnosis usually includes:

Clinical Examination

Your dentist checks:

• Gum swelling
  
• Tenderness behind the molars
  
• Signs of infection
  
• Mouth opening and jaw movement
  

Dental X-ray / OPG

An OPG (panoramic X-ray) helps determine:

• Tooth position
  
• Depth of impaction
  
• Root shape
  
• Proximity to nerves/sinus
  
• Risk level and treatment plan
  

Treatment Options for Impacted Wisdom Teeth

1) Monitoring (When Appropriate)

If the impacted wisdom tooth:

• is not causing symptoms
  
• shows no decay or infection
  
• is not damaging nearby teeth
  

Your dentist may suggest periodic monitoring with X-rays.

2) Medication for Symptom Control (Short-Term)

If infection or inflammation is present, your dentist may prescribe:

• Pain relief medication
  
• Anti-inflammatory medication
  
• Antibiotics (only when clinically indicated)
  

Important: medication helps symptoms, but it does not “fix” impaction.

3) Wisdom Tooth Extraction (Most Common Definitive Treatment)

Extraction is recommended when the tooth is causing:

• recurrent pain
  
• gum infection
  
• cavity risk
  
• damage to the second molar
  
• cyst changes
  

Depending on impaction depth, removal may be:

• Simple extraction
  
• Surgical extraction (minor oral surgery)
  

Recovery Tips After Impacted Wisdom Tooth Extraction

A smoother recovery usually comes down to good aftercare.

Do’s

• Use cold packs for swelling (first 24 hours)
  
• Eat soft foods (curd rice, khichdi, soups—avoid spicy early on)
  
• Keep the mouth clean as instructed
  
• Take medications exactly as prescribed
  
• Attend follow-up visits
  

Don’ts

• Do not smoke
  
• Avoid using straws
  
• Avoid vigorous rinsing for the first 24 hours
  
• Don’t chew on the extraction side too soon
  

Conclusion

If you’re experiencing recurring pain, swelling, or other impacted wisdom tooth symptoms, don’t wait for it to worsen. Book a consultation at Dr Gowds Dental Hospitals, visit your nearest Hyderabad branch(Gachibowli, Madhapur, Koti, Nanakramguda) and get a clear diagnosis with the right treatment plan. You can also talk to an orthodontist about crowding concerns and explore aligner treatment if your bite or alignment has been affected.

FAQs: Impacted Wisdom Tooth Causes and Symptoms

1) How do I know if my pain is from an impacted wisdom tooth?

Common clues include pain at the back of the jaw, gum swelling behind the molars, difficulty opening your mouth, and repeated flare-ups on the same side.

2) Can impacted wisdom tooth symptoms come and go?

Yes. Symptoms often reduce temporarily with medication or home rinses, but they usually return if the underlying impaction is not treated.

3) Is wisdom tooth removal painful?

During the procedure, you should not feel pain because the area is fully numbed. After the procedure, mild to moderate soreness is normal and can be managed with prescribed medication.

4) How long does recovery take after removal?

For most people, discomfort improves significantly in 3–5 days. Full healing can take a few weeks depending on how deeply the tooth was impacted.

5) Can I talk to an orthodontist if I’m worried about crowding?

Yes. If you’re noticing crowding or bite discomfort, you can talk to an orthodontist. In some cases, after treating the wisdom tooth issue, you may also explore aligner treatment for alignment correction.