Top 7 Reasons Why Wisdom Teeth Removal Is Necessary
Wisdom teeth erupt once you have grown, hence the name – but they don’t make anyone wiser! These third molars are quite tricky at times, especially before they erupt. Some people may experience pain when these erupt, and for others it could be a walk in a park. Whatever the case, no one ever envisions that the last teeth to come in would be the first to go. This is because there are times when wisdom teeth removal becomes inevitable, especially if your oral health is in jeopardy.
In some cases, wisdom teeth removal is not a good idea. It may seem like a common rite of passage for some people to have their wisdom teeth pulled out, but it is not always necessary. For instance, if your wisdom teeth are healthy, fully erupted, correctly positioned, and can be adequately reached when flossing and brushing, then wisdom teeth removal is unnecessary.
Sadly, most of us don’t have enough room in our mouths to be able to enjoy the company of our third molars for an entire lifetime. So, if you are wondering whether it is necessary to have our dentist near you extract your wisdom teeth, check out the following reasons:
- Jaw Stiffness
As mentioned earlier, your wisdom teeth come in later in life, from the age of 17 to around 25. When they are erupting, they can push against the other teeth in your mouth. The pressure exerted by the wisdom teeth can cause your other teeth to move from their positions, leading to jaw stiffness and discomfort in the mouth.
If you don’t visit our dentist near you to get the issue checked, the situation can escalate, and you may feel jaw pain. Once the pain ensues, you may need to get your wisdom tooth extracted to avoid further complications.
- Cysts
When there isn’t enough room for your third molars to erupt, they become stuck underneath the gumline. In other words, they become impacted. This can lead to the formation of cysts or even tumors.
A cyst will form when the sac surrounding the impacted tooth, known as a tooth follicle, fills with fluid. A cyst will continue to grow and damage nearby dental structures, including the surrounding teeth, bone, and gum tissue.
If the cyst has become large, then a portion of your jaw has to be removed, or other extra teeth have to be removed, plus the cyst and the wisdom tooth. If this is the case, you will need some reconstructive work on the jaw to restore normal functioning.
But if the cyst is not treated, then you can develop a tumor, which may be malignant and may require extensive surgical removal.
- Gum Sensitivity
For some people, the eruption of wisdom teeth causes overcrowding. This is because there isn’t enough space to accommodate your new set of teeth. This might cause unrelenting pain in your jaw and mouth.
Besides tooth pain, you can also experience gum sensitivity to cold, heat, and even pressure. These changes in your gums would make it challenging for you to eat and clean your teeth. This can cause gum recession in the back of the mouth and may result in sensitivity pain.
- Tooth Decay and Damage
When your wisdom tooth is not fully erupted, it can be difficult to clean and it can lead to tooth decay. This might necessitate an extraction to help reduce the chances of getting a cavity.
Plus, an impacted wisdom tooth may shift the other teeth out of position, making it challenging to clean them. So, the decay can spread to the nearby tooth. Therefore, getting an extraction would be your best bet.
- Sinus Problems
You might not know this, but your sinuses can be affected when you have an impacted wisdom tooth. Impacted wisdom teeth can cause pressure, pain, and congestion. So, if this is the case, then extracting the wisdom tooth may be necessary.
- Elective Wisdom Tooth Extraction
People often choose to get their wisdom teeth pulled out even before these teeth have deeply embedded roots. This is done as a precautionary measure before the teeth start causing problems.
- Impacted Wisdom Teeth
Impacted wisdom teeth don’t have enough room to erupt, so they stay stuck underneath the gumline. At times, some partially erupt or even erupt at an angle and can cause pain, tenderness, and swelling. Therefore, extraction is necessary.
You can contact our dentist near you at Asante Dental Centre if you want to learn more or to get your wisdom tooth extracted.