Your back tooth is likely in your gum because it's an impacted wisdom tooth.
Impacted Wisdom Teeth Explained
Wisdom teeth, or third molars, are the last teeth to emerge, typically in late adolescence or early adulthood. Sometimes, there isn't enough room in the mouth for them, leading to impaction. According to the reference: "These crowded third molars become impacted."
Types of Impaction
- Partially Impacted: The tooth has partially emerged, with some of the crown visible.
- Fully Impacted: The tooth has not broken through the gums at all.
"An impacted wisdom tooth may partially emerge so that some of the crown is visible... If the tooth never breaks through the gums, it's called a fully impacted wisdom tooth." - Reference
Reasons for Impaction
- Lack of Space: The jaw may be too small to accommodate the wisdom teeth properly.
- Angled Growth: The tooth may be angled or positioned incorrectly, preventing normal eruption.
In summary, if your back tooth is in your gum, it's probably an impacted wisdom tooth, either partially or fully, due to crowding or improper alignment.
