Wisdom Tooth Cutting Into Cheek: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options
When a wisdom tooth cutting into cheek occurs, it can create significant discomfort and potential complications for oral health. This common dental issue affects many individuals as their wisdom teeth emerge, often causing pain, irritation, and sometimes infection. Understanding the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for this condition can help you seek appropriate care and find relief.
Understanding Wisdom Teeth and Their Development
Wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, are the final set of molars that typically emerge in the late teens or early twenties. These teeth are evolutionary remnants from a time when humans had larger jaws and needed extra molars for grinding tough foods. In modern humans with smaller jaws, wisdom teeth often don’t have enough space to erupt properly.
Most adults develop four wisdom teeth—one in each corner of the mouth. However, not everyone develops all four, and some people may not develop any wisdom teeth at all. When wisdom teeth erupt, they can emerge in various positions, including:
- Vertical (aligned properly)
- Horizontal (growing sideways)
- Angled toward or away from adjacent teeth
- Partially erupted through the gums
When wisdom teeth don’t have sufficient room to emerge properly, they become impacted wisdom teeth. Impacted wisdom teeth can grow at angles that cause them to press against other teeth or, in some cases, cut into the cheek.
Also Read: Bump After Wisdom Teeth Removal: Understanding Causes, Treatment Options, and Prevention Strategies
Why Wisdom Teeth Cut Into the Cheek
A wisdom tooth cutting into the cheek typically happens when the tooth erupts at an abnormal angle, pushing outward toward the cheek rather than upward. This misalignment causes the sharp edges of the tooth to rub against or cut into the soft inner cheek lining, creating irritation, inflammation, and sometimes open sores.
Several factors contribute to this problem:
- Overcrowding: When there isn’t enough space in the jaw for wisdom teeth to emerge properly, they may grow at angles that push against the cheek.
- Impaction: Partially impacted wisdom teeth may only emerge partially through the gum, creating an uneven surface that can irritate the cheek.
- Abnormal eruption angle: Even in mouths with adequate space, wisdom teeth sometimes develop at unusual angles that direct them toward the cheek.
- Small mouth or jaw size: Individuals with smaller mouths may be more prone to wisdom teeth complications, including cheek irritation.
Also Read: Navigating Blood Clot After Dental Cleaning: A Guide to Care
Symptoms of a Wisdom Tooth Cutting Into Cheek
When a wisdom tooth cuts into your cheek, you may experience various symptoms that can range from mildly annoying to severely painful:
- Persistent pain or discomfort in the affected area
- Visible cuts, ulcers, or sores on the inner cheek lining
- Swelling of the cheek or gum tissue
- Difficulty opening the mouth fully
- Pain while chewing or speaking
- Recurring accidental bite injuries to the same area of the cheek
- Bad taste in the mouth (potentially indicating infection)
- Redness and inflammation of the cheek lining
- Bleeding from irritated cheek tissue
- Potential infection symptoms including fever, swelling, and increased pain
These symptoms may worsen over time as the wisdom tooth continues to grow or shift position. The constant irritation can lead to chronic inflammation and potentially more serious complications if left untreated.
Source: NHS UK – Wisdom Tooth Problems
Complications of Untreated Wisdom Tooth Issues
When a wisdom tooth cutting into cheek is left untreated, several complications can develop:
Infection
The cuts or ulcers created by the tooth can become entry points for bacteria, potentially leading to infection in the cheek tissue. Signs of infection include increased pain, swelling, redness, and sometimes pus formation.
Chronic Ulceration
Continuous irritation from the tooth can prevent healing, leading to persistent ulcers that cause ongoing discomfort and potentially interfere with eating and speaking.
Impact on Adjacent Teeth
Impacted wisdom teeth pushing against nearby teeth can cause alignment issues, potentially damaging otherwise healthy teeth.
Cyst Formation
In some cases, impacted wisdom teeth can develop fluid-filled cysts that may damage the jawbone, nearby teeth, and nerves if left untreated.
Gum Disease
The difficult-to-clean areas around partially erupted wisdom teeth often accumulate bacteria, increasing the risk of gum disease that can spread to other areas of the mouth.
Tooth Decay
Food and bacteria can become trapped around impacted wisdom teeth, leading to decay not only in the wisdom tooth but potentially in adjacent teeth as well.
Source: NIH – Tooth Decay
Diagnosis and Assessment
If you’re experiencing symptoms of a wisdom tooth cutting into your cheek, a dental professional will typically:
- Perform a thorough oral examination to assess the position of your wisdom teeth and the condition of your cheek tissue
- Take dental x-rays to determine the exact position and angle of the wisdom teeth
- Evaluate whether the wisdom teeth are fully or partially impacted
- Assess any damage to nearby structures, including other teeth and the jawbone
- Check for signs of infection or other complications
Based on this assessment, your dentist can develop a treatment plan tailored to your specific situation.
Also Read: Decoding Phantom Pain Wisdom Teeth: Understanding and Addressing the Discomfort
Treatment Options
Several treatment options are available for addressing a wisdom tooth cutting into cheek:
Conservative Management
For mild cases or temporary relief while awaiting more definitive treatment:
- Warm salt water rinses to reduce inflammation and promote healing
- Over-the-counter pain relievers to manage discomfort
- Dental wax applied over sharp edges of the tooth to prevent further irritation
- Soft diet to minimize chewing and reduce irritation
- Careful oral hygiene to prevent infection
Also Read: Why Do Narcissists Have Bad Oral Hygiene? Unmasking the Surprising Connection
Dental Procedures
For more significant issues, dental interventions may be necessary:
- Smoothing or filing: In some cases, a dentist may be able to smooth sharp edges of the wisdom tooth to reduce irritation to the cheek.
- Extraction: Wisdom teeth removal is often the most effective long-term solution, especially for impacted wisdom teeth causing persistent problems.
Source: WebMD – Wisdom Teeth Removal
Surgical Extraction
When wisdom teeth are impacted or positioned in a way that makes standard extraction difficult, surgical extraction may be necessary:
- The procedure is typically performed by a dentist or oral and maxillofacial surgeons
- Local anesthesia is used to numb the area, sometimes with sedation options
- An incision may be made in the gum to access the impacted tooth
- The tooth may need to be sectioned into smaller pieces for removal
- Stitches may be placed to close the wound
- A blood clot forms in the tooth socket as part of the healing process
Post-Extraction Care
After wisdom teeth removal, proper care is essential:
- Follow all post-operative instructions provided by your dentist or oral surgeon
- Take prescribed medications as directed
- Apply ice to reduce swelling
- Avoid disturbing the blood clot in the tooth socket to prevent dry socket
- Maintain gentle oral hygiene, avoiding the extraction sites initially
- Eat soft foods until healing progresses
- Attend follow-up appointments to ensure proper healing
Source: American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons – Recovery Tips
Prevention and Early Intervention
While you can’t prevent wisdom teeth from developing, early intervention can help avoid complications:
- Regular dental check-ups allow dentists to monitor wisdom teeth development through x-rays
- Early assessment of wisdom teeth positioning can identify potential problems before symptoms develop
- Preventive extraction may be recommended for wisdom teeth that show signs of potential future problems
- Monitoring partially erupted wisdom teeth closely for signs of infection or complications
Source:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4979926/https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/wisdom-teeth
When to Seek Dental Care
You should consult a dentist promptly if you experience:
- Persistent pain in the back of your mouth
- Visible cuts or sores on your inner cheek that don’t heal
- Swelling, redness, or drainage that might indicate infection
- Difficulty opening your mouth or swallowing
- Fever accompanying dental pain
- Bad taste or odor in your mouth despite good oral hygiene
Source: University of Utah Health – Dental Pain
Conclusion
A wisdom tooth cutting into cheek can cause significant discomfort and potential complications for overall oral health. While this issue is common, it shouldn’t be ignored, as it can lead to more serious problems if left untreated. Modern dental techniques have made wisdom teeth removal a routine and generally safe procedure that can provide relief from pain and prevent future complications.
If you’re experiencing symptoms of wisdom teeth problems, consulting with a dental professional is the best course of action. They can assess your specific situation and recommend appropriate treatment options to address your discomfort and protect your long-term oral health. With proper care and treatment, the issues caused by problematic wisdom teeth can be effectively resolved, allowing you to return to comfort and normal function.
