When I was quite a bit younger, my orthodontist showed me on X-rays of my jaw that I will only have two wisdom teeth (lower jaw). The one has recently started appearing above the gum. At what point can I tell if it is impacted? It has not been too painful. – Dina* The only way to really know if a wisdom tooth that is partially through the gum is impacted is to see a dentist or an oral surgeon for an X-ray. Wisdom teeth often can't grow in normally. When they are impacted, it means the teeth either become stuck under the gum or are only able to partially break through the gum. Wisdom teeth usually become impacted because the jaw doesn't have enough space for all the teeth that are growing in, or because the tooth comes in at the wrong angle and bumps into the tooth in front of it. Although some people never have any trouble with them, impacted wisdom teeth can cause problems. An impacted wisdom tooth can sometimes trap food, plaque, and other debris in the soft tissue around it, leading to swelling, gum tenderness, cavities, and bad breath. You should see your dentist or oral surgeon to find out if your tooth is impacted. Dentists or oral surgeons often remove impacted wisdom teeth because they may damage other teeth or cause pain or infection. *Names have been changed to protect user privacy. Back to Articles Related Articles What Causes Bad Breath? Bad breath, or halitosis, can be a major problem, especially when you're about to snuggle with your sweetie or whisper a joke to your friend. The good news is that bad breath often can be easily prevented. Read More Mouth and Teeth Did you know that your mouth is the first step in the body's digestive process? Or that the mouth and teeth are essential for speech? Learn about the many roles your mouth and teeth play. Read More All About Orthodontia Just getting braces and have no idea what to expect? Had braces for a while but wonder what's going on in there? Whatever your situation is, you're not alone: millions of teens have braces. Read More What Are Impacted Wisdom Teeth? Find out what the experts have to say. Read More Taking Care of Your Teeth There's a lot more to taking care of your teeth than breath mints and mouth sprays. Read this article to learn the facts on flossing, how to give plaque the brush-off, and much more. Read More Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor. © 1995-2021 KidsHealth®. All rights reserved. Images provided by The Nemours Foundation, iStock, Getty Images, Veer, Shutterstock, and Clipart.com.