Why Should I Have My Wisdom Teeth Removed?

Over three-quarters of the population will suffer from impacted wisdom teeth at some point in their lives. In other words, there’s a very good chance that you and your loved ones will eventually need wisdom teeth removal if you haven’t undergone such a procedure already. But are you fully aware of why the extraction needs to happen? Some people don’t realize the potential dangers of impacted wisdom teeth and don’t seek care as soon as they should. Keep reading to learn more about 3 of the potential consequences that you could suffer if there’s not enough room in your mouth for third molars.

1. Localized Gum Infection

When a tooth is unable to fully break through the gums, the surrounding tissue is likely to become irritated. It will also be harder for you to brush and floss this area effectively, which can leave you vulnerable to infection. Naturally, this can result in pain and swelling, but it can also interfere with your ability to chew and swallow. While gum infections can be treated, it’s always better to prevent them from happening at all, which is just one reason why the wisdom teeth need to be removed as soon as it’s evident that they’re going to become impacted.

2. Cyst Formation

A cyst is essentially a “balloon” filled with fluids that can develop when a tooth is trapped under the gums. It’s not infectious, but it can still damage nearby oral structures as it grows. Eventually, the underlying jawbone and even nearby teeth might be destroyed. The longer a cyst is allowed to develop, the harder it is to treat. In the worst-case scenario, they might even lead to a tumor.

3. Damage to Adjacent Teeth

If a wisdom tooth can’t break through the gums, it might start growing in the wrong direction. That means it will start pushing into the roots of the tooth right in front of. Needless to say, this can easily result in permanent damage – not to mention that it’s extremely uncomfortable. Also, your other teeth may be pushed together, resulting in overcrowding that spreads the damage even further. And if there’s not enough room to clean around the wisdom tooth, there’s a good chance of nearby teeth suffering from decay as well. In other words, removing wisdom teeth helps protect the entire smile.

If none of the above issues occur, then it’s sometimes possible to keep your wisdom teeth. But if there’s any indication that they’ll cause problems, it’s always best to have the extraction done as soon as possible. If anyone in your life is getting to the age where wisdom teeth are expected to come in, make sure that they’re seeing their dentist regularly so that they can get prompt treatment when they need it.

About the Practice

At Bethel Dental, we care about your comfort as well as the health of your smile. Thanks to our advanced technology, we can quickly detect potentially problematic wisdom teeth, and we’ll make sure that the extraction process is as painless as possible. To schedule an appointment and ask about your wisdom teeth, visit our website.