Expert: Joel S. Teig, DMD, Diplomate ABOMS, retired - 12/3/2009

Question
Hey, I'm getting one of my wisdom teeth, its pretty much fully grown, and looks straight, no pain at all. But, my cheek has been getting caught in this wisdom tooth and i bite it, mostly when eating. It is now sore, although I don't really tend to bite it now. My problem is its been a week and where Im biting i'm now noticing a white creamy streaks, clouds (not painful)on the inside of my cheek. This has me a little worried, but obviously it is caused by the previous biting. The gum near cheek bone/wisdom tooth is still sore. What do you think this is, should I be worried or will it go away? I have exams and really no time to book an appointment till the 21st, unless much needed.

P.S. I read that the cheek will not interfere with wisdom teeth when the tooth fully grows?

Thanks a lot.


Answer
Ravi - What appears to have occurred, is that although the tooth has erupted, it either has not erupted straight or the area is not large enough or flexible enough to support the tooth.  In any of the above scenarios, recurrent biting or even just rubbing of the cheek tissue occurs.  The white area is actually a thickening of the cheek tissue from chronic irritation, like a scar.  The production of the white area is an indication that the tooth will not remain in place without causing more irritation or causing more biting of the cheek.  The best solution will be to have the tooth removed (one of the main reasons wisdom teeth are removed is a lack of room).  When a tooth is fully grown it can still bite the cheek and cause irritation.  

As much as you may not want to hear this, you need that tooth extracted to allow the cheek to heal.  In the meantime, you can try to reduce the inflammation by recurrent warm salt water rinses for a couple of minutes a few times a day.  Try to stay away from chewing on that side of your mouth until the tooth is removed.

I wish you well and hope the area does not get more irritated.  If you have additional questions, feel free to contact me again.