Everyone probably knows at least one person who had their wisdom teeth removed. Which begs the question: why do wisdom teeth need to be extracted so often? Can they really cause that much of a problem?
If your third molars are growing in properly, then no, they aren’t likely to cause you problems. The issue doesn’t lie with the teeth themselves, but the size of your mouth and your dental alignment! For some words to the wise, keep reading. We’ll lay out the details.
Room to Breathe: Improper Wisdom Teeth Growth
Like we said, as long as wisdom teeth can erupt from your gums without complication, you’re not likely to need them extracted. However, most people don’t have enough room for their third molars. As you’ll see in more detail, this can lead to infection and even endanger your other teeth. So it’s better to remove your wisdom teeth before your oral health is compromised.
Tooth Impaction: It’s a Trap!
When a tooth tries to grow up through your gumline, it can sometimes get trapped underneath the surface or be blocked by another tooth. This is called an “impacted tooth”. Besides causing discomfort, impacted teeth can lead to infection or create cysts in your jawbone.
- More on infection: Just because a tooth is trapped in your gums doesn’t mean it’s completely closed off. There could very well be convenient pockets for harmful bacteria to travel through. The longer it sits there, the more likely it is to infect your pink dental supports with gum disease.
- More on cysts: These fluid-filled bubbles can jeopardize your jawbone and other oral tissue that keeps your teeth in place. Without treatment, deteriorating dental structure will lead to tooth loss.
That’s two more complications than you probably want! Extracting an impacted wisdom tooth is definitely the lesser of two evils in this case.
Dental Damage: When Wisdom Teeth are Bad Influences
Let’s suppose a wisdom tooth does manage to erupt. That doesn’t mean it’ll come in straight! If real estate is sparse along your dental lineup, your third molar will be shifted so that it grows at an angle. This exerts pressure on your other pearly whites, which will either crack or also start to lean. So to spare you from restoration or orthodontic treatment down the line, it’s best to sacrifice your crooked molar.
When In Doubt, Call Your Dentist!
It’s obvious that your wisdom tooth needs to be removed when it’s causing you discomfort. But if you notice bleeding or swollen gums, damage to your back teeth, or a pinch of white poking up through your backstage gumline, you should still visit your dentist even if you’re not hurting.
In fact, since wisdom tooth complications can have a huge impact on dental development, it’s best to commit to the recommended biannual checkups! Your dentist will make sure any troublesome late bloomers get treated promptly.
About the Practice
Drs. Diana Vazquez and Jose Aldana make it a point to ensure you’re comfortable during your visit and confident in your treatment plan. That’s why they keep up with the latest dental technology and are both experienced with tooth extractions. Between quality service and Dr. Vazquez’s certification in nitrous oxide and conscious sedation, the Soleil Dental team has all your wisdom tooth extraction needs covered! To contact their office, call 214-304-2112.