Ideally, your teeth should erupt vertically from your gumline. This allows them to provide a harmonious bite and easy chewing power. Some teeth, though, are a bit rebellious. They may grow in sideways! This is especially common with wisdom teeth. Why do they so often develop at an undesirable angle, and what else should you know about sideways third molars? This blog post provides some helpful information.
Why Do Wisdom Teeth Grow Sideways?
The most common reason for sideways wisdom teeth is simply that there is not enough space for them to develop normally. When they attempt to emerge, they can encounter resistance from adjacent teeth, which forces them to grow at an angle. They may even push other teeth out of place as they attempt to emerge.
Wisdom teeth may be slightly tilted or even completely horizontal. In some cases, they emerge partially from the gumline (this is known as partial impaction), but in other instances they remain completely beneath the gums (full impaction).
Risks Associated with Sideways Wisdom Teeth
Sideways, impacted wisdom teeth have the potential to create numerous problems:
- Pressure against adjacent teeth may lead to crowding and misalignment.
- Jaw discomfort and pain are common due to abnormal positioning.
- Cleaning the affected area becomes difficult, which increases the risk of infection.
- Bacteria may accumulate around the improperly positioned teeth, resulting in gum disease, cavities, or abscesses.
- In rare instances, cysts or tumors may form around impacted wisdom teeth, threatening your overall oral health.
How to Protect Your Oral Health
You should make it your habit to visit your dentist regularly for checkups. At these appointments, your care team will check on your wisdom teeth, monitoring their positioning and development. If they ever start to cause problems, or it becomes apparent that they will cause future issues, you may need to get them removed.
Although the prospect of tooth extractions might seem unpleasant, you can trust that this procedure will likely spare you from pain, discomfort, a misaligned bite, and the need for expensive dental treatment down the road.
Sideways wisdom teeth can be a problem! Fortunately, timely removal can keep your smile healthy.
Meet the Practice
At Green Hills Dental Center, Dr. James Kirby is pleased to provide a broad range of treatments, including wisdom teeth extractions, in a welcoming environment. Our team even offers sedation to make the experience as easy as possible. If you are concerned about your wisdom teeth, we would love to welcome you in for a consultation. Contact our Nashville office at 615-327-2123.