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You may have heard this term the first time you or a friend got your wisdom teeth. That makes sense, as wisdom teeth are the teeth most often impacted in teenagers and young adults. But other permanent teeth can be impacted as well. What exactly do we mean by “impacted teeth,” and what can we do to treat them?

The term “impacted” means that somehow a tooth has been blocked from erupting properly. A tooth may be completely blocked by another tooth, erupt in the wrong space, or even come in from the wrong direction. Depending on the teeth involved, there are several different options for treatment.

From Baby Teeth to Permanent Teeth

Normally, when children lose a baby tooth, a permanent tooth is right there, ready to take its place. But teeth don’t always behave according to plan. Occasionally, that baby tooth just won’t budge, and the permanent tooth starts to erupt behind it. When this happens, a simple baby tooth extraction will often let the permanent tooth move into its proper position on schedule.

A more complicated situation develops when upper teeth are impacted because there isn’t enough space in the mouth for them. In this case, a device called a palatal expander might be used to gradually widen the upper jaw to allow the permanent teeth to erupt without crowding.

In other rare cases, a tooth (often the canine) fails to erupt and may require oral surgery to uncover it, followed by orthodontic treatment to guide it into position.

Impacted teeth can result from other causes as well, and every impacted tooth should be treated as quickly as possible. Left untreated, the teeth can fail to erupt at all or erupt in the wrong place, crowd other permanent teeth, damage the roots of the teeth near them, and lead to difficulties eating and dental pain.

Wisdom teeth

Wisdom teeth are often a problem because there is simply not enough room in the jaw for them.

Wisdom teeth that are completely impacted (still in the jawbone) can sometimes be left alone if they aren’t causing other problems. But if impacted wisdom teeth develop cysts, affect the teeth around them, or lead to other dental complications, they should be extracted.

Partially erupted teeth, those that have begun to emerge through the gums but don’t erupt fully, can be the source of different gum and tooth problems. Because the gum tissue overlaps the tooth, food particles and bacteria can become trapped, leading to rapid tooth decay and even infection. In this case, extraction is probably the best option.

Be Proactive

The term “impacted” actually comes from the Latin root meaning “pushed against.” But teeth that don’t erupt at the right time, in the right place, can have a different kind of impact on dental health and appearance. And the earlier we can catch these problems, the easier it is to treat them.

Regular exams and X-rays with Dr. Pamela Clark at our Pearland, TX office will show the progress of the teeth even before they erupt, and if there will be the space for them to fit in the mouth properly. We may recommend a visit to the orthodontist by the age of seven to see if there are any signs of potential orthodontic problems.

Intervention at an early stage can prevent potential problems from becoming major ones. That is why it’s so important to be proactive when teeth are erupting in children and young adults. After all, a healthy, confident smile makes a real impact!

If you’ve happened to visit Pearland Pediatric Dentistry recently you might have noticed a new face around the office. We are so pleased to welcome Dr. Nancy Wong! She joined our office on July 1^st. She is excited to provide pediatric dentistry to our wonderful patients!

Dr. Wong lived in Peru until she was 12 years old, then moved to San Antonio where she went to college, dental school, and pediatric dental residency. She moved to the Houston area because she loves the diversity, the food, and friendly people. She decided to specialize in pediatric dentistry after attending an externship in California working with underserved children. We look forward to you meeting her the next time you are in the office! Please help us welcome Dr. Wong to Pearland and the Houston area.

Make sure to say hi to Dr. Wong next time you see her!

You’re all set for your happy morning and nighttime ritual. You’ve provided your son with his favorite action hero toothbrush and your daughter with her favorite flavored toothpaste. You’ve gotten them into the healthy habit of two minutes of brushing twice each day. You’ve introduced them to flossing. You have favorite brushing songs! Stickers! Gold stars! And, best of all, you’re teaching great brushing techniques.

Kids need the same basic brushing tools and skills as adults. What makes for the best cleaning?

Find the right brush

No matter how cute—or heroic—the brush, it needs to have soft bristles to protect enamel and delicate gum tissue. The head should be a perfect fit for your child’s mouth. And if the handle is easy to grip and hold, you have a winner.

Find the right toothpaste

The bubblegum flavor might appeal to your child, but it’s the fluoride that helps to prevent cavities. Talk to us about the right time to start using fluoride toothpaste and the right amount for your child’s brush.

Teach your child the angles

If your child is too young to brush alone, start geometry lessons early. Holding the brush at a 45-degree angle toward the gums will clean bacteria and plaque from the tooth surface and the gum line. And don’t forget the chewing surfaces and the insides of the teeth. When your child begins brushing on her own, coach her as she learns the best way to clean all the surfaces of her teeth.

Easy does it

Teeth and gums should be massaged, not scrubbed. Brushing too hard can damage not only tender gum tissue, but even your child’s enamel.

Learn to let go

No matter how comfortable and appealing the brush, after three or four months, it’s time for a change. Frayed bristles don’t clean as effectively, and making up for it by brushing harder isn’t the answer (see above). Also, toothbrushes can build up quite a collection of bacteria over time (see below), so a fresh brush is a must!

Everything in its place

A toothbrush should dry thoroughly between uses without touching other brushes. Placing a brush in a plastic container doesn’t let it dry and encourages bacterial growth. And a toothbrush needs its own space—touching toothbrush heads means sharing toothbrush bacteria. The best way to keep toothbrushes as dry and as germ-free as possible is to store them upright, without touching other brushes, in a clean, well-ventilated area.

Rinse and repeat

Your child should rinse his toothbrush before and after using it, and be sure to rinse his mouth as well. That should get rid of any leftover food particles brushing has removed.

Finally, keep up the good work! As you teach your child proper brushing techniques, and make sure she uses them as she grows, you are preparing her for a lifetime of great checkups with Dr. Pamela Clark at our Pearland, TX office. Give yourself a gold star—you’ve earned it!

At Pearland Pediatric Dentistry, we understand the importance of man’s best friend, that’s why we’re celebrating National Dog Day! This year, and every year, we are celebrating the lovely Lola who has been part of our family for 7 years. We will definitely spoil her with extra treats, belly rubs, and a round of fetch (though she likes to play keep away best)!  

I grew up having dogs as pets, but Lola is my husband’s first dog. Can you guess who let her start sleeping in our room while I was out of town? Lola has a special place in our family’s hearts. We adopted her from another family and she already had the name of Lola. My husband wanted to change it to Bacon but she was already two years old so we kept Lola.  

Lola loves to run out the front door and she keeps running. One time we had other kids over and she ran out, so I had four little girls in princess dresses running after her down the street. We got in the car and drove after her. After Lola had her fun, she jumped in the car with a smile on her face. She got tons of love from all the girls. Laila has also been known to get into a chair at the table and eat off a plate (BBQ)- which is not allowed.

Animals are awesome! They can lift your spirits and help you remember what is important. They also help your kids learn responsibility at a young age. Dogs, in particular, are one of the most loyal pets a person could choose to have in their life. Dogs can sense your mood and will always stand by you even if you are not being your best. 

To give back to animals in need my daughter loves attends the Houston Humane Society summer Companion Camp so we donate to the Humane Society. My kids have also had lemonade stands for the SPCA in the past.

If you’ve got any furry friends of your own, we hope you’re spoiling them a little extra today!