12 May Why Do My Wisdom Teeth Need To Be Removed?
Why Do My Wisdom Teeth Need To Be Removed?
It should come as no surprise that Blue Wave Dental Care is committed to maintaining the health of your teeth so that they remain in place for the rest of your life. So why would we ever want to remove your wisdom teeth?
What are wisdom teeth?
Your wisdom teeth are the last ones to develop in your mouth, normally appearing between the age of 17 and 21, but not everyone develops them. Sometimes referred to as “third molars” by dentists, wisdom teeth are typically removed to prevent or treat oral health issues.
Younger patients typically have an easier time having their wisdom teeth extracted because they are often not yet completely developed. But there are no age requirements for wisdom teeth extraction.
Symptoms of Problem Wisdom Teeth
Wisdom teeth do not cause symptoms for everyone. As they grow, you may experience increasing pressure in the back of your mouth. You may also experience some swelling in the area. The wisdom teeth that cause the most problems and discomfort are those that are impacted.
Here are some of the signs and symptoms of problem wisdom teeth:
- Top of the tooth is becoming noticeable emerging through the gums
- Chronic bad breath
- Jaw ache
- Pressure or pain in the back part of the mouth
- Jaw or neck swelling
- Swollen or tender gums
- Gums that easily bleed
If you are experiencing any symptoms associated with problem wisdom teeth, please reach out to Blue Wave Dental Care to undergo an evaluation.
Incorrect Growth
It is not uncommon for wisdom teeth to grow in and occupy a large amount of space. Before the eruption of their wisdom teeth, most people have 28 teeth. Once their wisdom teeth have grown in, they will have 32 teeth. Without braces, these teeth can’t be straightened. The only real treatment option is to have the wisdom teeth removed.
After a consultation, your dentist will make the determination of how many teeth must be extracted.
Misaligned Teeth
If a patient’s wisdom teeth emerge in a crooked alignment, this can cause the shifting of neighboring teeth. This shift can damage other teeth. So wisdom teeth extraction may be necessary prevent damage to the other teeth.
Impaction and Infections
If a wisdom tooth is trapped under gum tissue, it is considered to be impacted. This means that it is growing at an angle that pushes it into neighboring teeth, which can damage those teeth or move them out of alignment.
It can be hard to clean around a tooth that has partially erupted. Infections can be caused by trapped food particles. If the situation worsens, it can lead to a spreading infection that affects neighboring teeth and gums, leading to tooth decay or gum disease. Tumors and cysts can also form near an infected tooth, leading to significant pain.
To prevent the infection of an impacted wisdom tooth, we normally advise that you simply have it extracted. By removing problem wisdom teeth, your oral health will be significantly enhanced and protected.