My Wisdom Tooth is Growing into my Cheek (don't ignore it!)

Wisdom teeth can sometimes grow right into the cheeks

Wisdom teeth can be a bit tricky – unlike other teeth, they don't follow a set pattern. Everyone has their own wisdom teeth story, and that's because these teeth can come in all sorts of shapes, positions, numbers of roots, and growth paths you can imagine.

They can go in any direction you can think of – straight, flat, or at an angle. Sometimes, they don't even make it out and stay stuck or impacted in the bone, with a chance ranging from 18.97% to 30.80%.

When wisdom teeth decide to show up, their top chewing surface might be pointing right at your cheeks. So, every time you talk or chew on something, those sharp edges can rub against your cheek. This can be annoying, leading to various forms of lesions, from ulcers or cuts to white patches or lumpy growths.

Why are wisdom teeth sometimes weirdly positioned?

So why do wisdom teeth sometimes decide to go in strange directions. Well, one big reason is a lack of space in the jaw. When there's not enough room for them to settle in comfortably, they start tilting or changing direction. The usual situation is their tendency to lean towards the adjacent molar. But in fact, all directions are possible for wisdom teeth.

The real troubles often come from this abnormal positioning. Growing out of place can lead to infections, pain, cavities, and even damage to nearby teeth and soft tissues.

There are other reasons why wisdom teeth can grow in weird positions:

1. Trauma: Ever taken a hard hit to the jaws, like a fall or a blow? That could have messed with the way your wisdom tooth grows. The result of the impact can change its direction in the jawbone and prevent it from emerging properly.


2. Obstacles: Sometimes, something gets in the way of your wisdom tooth coming out smoothly. It could be thick gums, cysts, or tumors blocking the path. So, the tooth either stays stuck in the bone or bends to go around the obstacle.


3. Genetic Factors: Your genes play a role not only in the appearance of your teeth, including their shape and color, but also in their alignment and even in whether or not you have a wisdom tooth.
   Genetic factors influence where these teeth decide to set up in your mouth, determining whether they will come out properly or stay hidden in the bone. It's not unusual for wisdom tooth problems to run in families.

Symptoms of wisdom teeth growing into the cheeks

If your wisdom tooth is growing into your cheek, chances are its sharp chewing surface is constantly hitting the soft tissue of your cheek while you talk or chew. This often happens more with the wisdom tooth in the upper jaw.

The symptoms can vary – from small, painless bite marks on the lining of your cheek and white patches to more painful injuries like ulcers, cuts, or lacerations.

Ulcers can show up when the irritation is strong enough to break down the outer tissue layer. They look similar to the canker sores we're all familiar with – small, round sores that are white or yellow. We call them traumatic ulcers and can cause a burning sensation, especially when in contact with acidic, spicy, or hot foods.

Heavier irritations can cause deeper injuries, resulting in cuts or lacerations. These are serious and appear as tears in the cheek lining, leading to significant pain, bleeding, and a higher risk of infection.

If the irritations are mild but persistent over a long period, the body adapts by producing a lot of a protein called keratin (hyperkeratinization). It acts like a barrier, protecting the cheek lining from constant damage.

You'll notice it as a white, relatively thick layer that tightly sticks to the cheek lining and can't be rubbed off.

Overall, the severity of these symptoms depends on the height and tilt of the wisdom tooth. The higher and more tilted it is, the greater the chance of it rubbing harder against the cheek and causing significant damage.

A wisdom tooth that repeatedly rubs against the cheek can take a serious turn

A wisdom tooth that keeps rubbing against your cheek is not always something to take lightly. Any persistent irritation in your mouth should be seen as a risk factor for a potentially precancerous condition.

Chronic irritations can cause abnormal changes in cells, increasing the risk of oral cancer.

Whether due to issues like poorly fitted teeth, sharp edges of decayed teeth, habits like cheek sucking, or wrongly positioned wisdom teeth, a long-lasting wound that won't heal should be checked to rule out malignancy.

Chronic irritation and leukoplakia

Those harmless white hyperkeratinization reactions from chronic irritations we've discussed earlier could sometimes point to a potentially malignant oral condition known as leukoplakia.

Leukoplakia appears as whitish or grayish patches due to factors like smoking or something constantly rubbing against the mouth tissues. Most of the time, it's harmless and benign. But, in 1% to 36% of cases, it may show abnormal cellular changes called dysplasia.

Dysplasia carries a significant risk of turning cancerous. Studies suggest that approximately 11% to 36% of dysplastic leukoplakia lesions progress to oral cancer (especially with longer follow-up periods).

Persistent lesions in the mouth should be checked as soon as possible

You should know that just by looking at them, there is no way of telling if these lesions are benign, dysplastic, or cancerous. So, if you spot white spots, lumps, or any unusual growth in your mouth, don't delay – see your dentist or physician. The only way to determine their true nature is through a biopsy and microscopic examination.

Should a wisdom tooth growing into the cheek be removed?

When your wisdom tooth is pointing to your cheek and causing trouble by cutting or injuring your tissues, the best way to get rid of the issue once and for all is to have your tooth removed.

Wisdom teeth are like extra teeth – they don't serve much purpose, so removing them isn't a big deal.

Now, if you're wondering whether you can keep the tooth, it depends on how badly tilted it is. A slightly tilted tooth can sometimes be fixed by trimming its sharp edges, a procedure known as coronoplasty. The goal is to round off the edges and smooth them out to make them gentler on the cheek.

But, if the tooth is really pushing harder into the cheek, coronoplasty won't do the trick, and extraction becomes the only practical option.

Regardless of your situation, don't put off seeing your dentist. Wisdom teeth are a bit like time bombs. Just because they're not causing trouble now doesn't mean they won't in the future. Your dentist can assess your case and help you decide on the best treatment plan.