Wisdom teeth refer to the third set of molars that tend to make their grand entrance between the ages of 16 and 21. Since most patients already have their full set of adult teeth by this time, they often don’t have enough space in their mouths for these third molars, causing them to become impacted. Though this issue is common and happens to about nine of every ten patients, it’s not something that should be left unaddressed since it can lead to various issues. Here’s a closer look at just a few of these potential problems and why it normally makes sense to extract wisdom teeth preemptively.
Impacted Wisdom Teeth Cause Dental Pain
This is probably the most common symptom related to impacted wisdom, and it’s also the most unpleasant. When teeth grow in at incorrect angles, they tend to touch places they otherwise wouldn’t, including neighboring teeth and their roots. The gums around the tooth might also start to hurt, with pain traveling even as far as the jawbone. The onset of pain will vary from patient to patient, but in any case, it’s a sign that there’s something wrong.
There’s a Higher Risk of Dental Infection
Due to their positioning, wisdom teeth are harder to keep clean with your toothbrush, meaning they’re inherently at a heightened risk of decay and the gum tissue surrounding them is subject to gum disease. This is especially true for impacted wisdom teeth. Food can also easily become stuck between crowded teeth, complicating the difficulty of brushing and flossing even further. This debris becomes trapped in small spaces between the teeth and gums called “pseudo pockets” and can easily lead to cavities, periodontitis, and other problems.
They Can Damage Neighboring Teeth
Most people already have a full set of 28 adult teeth by the time their wisdom teeth begin erupting, meaning that their mouths do not have room for these late arrivers. There is no way to control how wisdom teeth will emerge; some grow straight and cause no issues to other teeth, but most of the time, they grow incongruously at angles or even completely sideways. Needless to say, this can cause damage to other teeth, affecting their crowns and roots alike. If this happens, you’ll need to address the impacted wisdom teeth as well as the other teeth that have sustained harm. It can also cause dental misalignment, possibly warranting the need for orthodontic treatment.
Not everyone ends up needing to undergo wisdom tooth extraction; however, it’s never wise to leave anything to chance, especially when dealing with pain or other dental issues. If you still have your wisdom teeth, you shouldn’t hesitate to consult with your dentist to ensure that they aren’t causing problems now – and that they won’t later on!
About the Practice
Our team here at Elite Oral Surgery Associates has proudly served patients and families in Worcester and the surrounding community for several years, offering a wide range of services including wisdom tooth extractions. If you have any questions about the blog or you’d like to get in touch with our team to set up a consultation, please visit us online or call us today for additional information. Worcester Office Telephone: (774) 220-7355.
