Wisdom teeth, unlike their name, do not make people wiser. When these late-stage molars sprout from the gums and squeeze your existing teeth, they can be pretty painful. Worse, there have been reported wisdom teeth contributing to jaw alignment, sinus issues, long-term cavity damage, and cysts.
Despite this, some people are spared the frequent wisdom tooth symptoms and discomforts. The dilemma for these fortunate individuals is whether wisdom teeth extraction is practical. Is it crucial to remove wisdom teeth simply because oral surgery has become commonplace?
When Wisdom Teeth Cause Issues
Wisdom teeth are usually removed because they cause problems with the rest of the teeth. Because of their existing teeth, they often do not have enough room to develop. However, because they must erupt, they can grow horizontally from numerous angles in the jaw.
Other problems associated with wisdom teeth development comprise:
- Staying buried under the gum line, ultimately getting stuck or impacted within the jaw, resulting in infection or abscess, affecting adjacent teeth’ roots and eroding bone support.
- It partially emerges from the gums but is challenging to detect and clean, giving it a breeding ground for bacteria that trigger gum inflammation and infection.
- When teeth erupt completely, they develop at an angle, causing crowding and damaging previously healthy neighboring teeth.
Some dentists advocate wisdom teeth extraction to minimize future harm even if they haven’t fully emerged. Some dentists even advise extraction at an early age before the teeth and bones have fully developed. Younger patients heal faster, with fewer risks of impacted wisdom tooth development and infections later in life.
Why Do You Need Wisdom Tooth Extraction?
1. Tooth damage in the immediate vicinity
Because your adult teeth are already in place, the emergence of an extra set of molars may cause them to move. This results in discomfort, biting issues, and overcrowding, making brushing and flossing difficult and leading to cavities or tooth decay. If you postpone treatment, you may require further treatments to correct affected neighboring teeth.
2. Jaw injuries
Stiffness or discomfort appears first, followed by damage to the jawbones, which affects the mouth’s function and motility. Like many other teeth, wisdom teeth arise from the jaws and gums, although this is only sometimes the point, particularly when there isn’t enough room around the other teeth.
Some wisdom teeth get affected in the jaw, causing other teeth and the jawline to move. This might make it challenging to open your mouth and create pain. When left untreated, cysts can grow along the freshly erupted molars, hollowing down the jaw bones and damaging the nerves of nearby, healthy teeth.
3. Sinus issues
We all know how closely the mouth and nose are linked, but did you realize that impacted wisdom teeth can influence the sinuses? When the growth of these molars provokes sinus discomfort, tension, and congestion, wisdom teeth removal is indicated. Oral health is connected to general health, so any symptom or sickness should be taken seriously.
Conclusion
You may often wait a few months to see whether circumstances change before choosing wisdom teeth removal. However, you should seek medical attention if you are experiencing discomfort, swelling, or a foul odor near your back teeth. This dentist offers Invisalign, Fastbraces, and dental implants in Tampa.