Did you know that about 38.4% of the population never develop wisdom teeth? Those lucky people never have to worry about getting them removed. For the rest of us, the removal question awaits.
Many dentists will recommend removal as a measure of preventative care. This means going through the pain and healing process of removal surgery when you don’t need to.
Here at Perfect Smiles Dentistry, we like to evaluate each patient and their wisdom teeth. You will talk with Kavitha Gowda, DDS, during a comprehensive wisdom tooth consultation to determine if extraction is the best course of action.
When removal is unnecessary
For many people, their wisdom teeth grow in straight and normal. If this happens for you, then there is no reason to have your wisdom teeth removed. You just need to clean these hard-to-reach teeth in the back carefully, or you’ll face tooth decay.
Signs you need removal
If you experience any of these conditions, then you should make an appointment for a consultation with Dr. Gowda. Getting your wisdom teeth removed my sound scary and painful, but 80% of the adult population experience wisdom teeth removal before they reach age 70.
Impacted
If your third molars (wisdom teeth) become trapped under the gums, also known as impacted, then having them removed is a good idea. Trapped teeth can develop infections, which can lead to a cyst. This is when fluid becomes trapped in your jaw along with the tooth.
A cyst can cause more significant problems by damaging your other teeth, their roots, and your jawbone. Ignore this issue, and you face additional surgery to correct it.
Not enough room
Most of us have enough space in our mouths for 28 teeth. Once your wisdom teeth come in, you now have 32 teeth. If you don’t have enough room in your mouth for the four extra teeth, a couple of things can happen.
The first is they get trapped in your gum and become impacted. The second is that they force their way in, which results in them or your other teeth becoming crooked.
They cause pain
Pain in your gums around your wisdom teeth is a sign of an infection. If your wisdom teeth are partially impacted, then food and bacteria can get trapped and cause an infection.
Other signs of an infection are bad breath, bleeding, a bad taste in your mouth, swelling, and redness. If you experience these signs, you shouldn’t delay seeking treatment. An infection will continue to spread and damage your jawbone.
What happens if you don’t get your wisdom teeth removed
Ignoring your problematic wisdom teeth will eventually create a much larger problem for you. If they grow in crooked, it could cause the rest of your teeth to shift and become crooked.
Having crooked teeth can make it difficult to eat. You may find it difficult or painful to chew your food. You can also develop sinus problems. When your upper wisdom teeth grow and develop roots, they can rub up against and put pressure on your sinuses.
Schedule a consultation
If you are worried about your wisdom teeth, the best thing you can do is schedule a consultation with Dr. Gowda. She and her team at Perfect Smiles Dentistry will provide a comprehensive consultation about where your wisdom teeth are and how best to go about taking care of them.
If you need an extraction, you can trust Dr. Gowda’s to take a personalized approach and focus on the source of the issue causing you pain.
Book an appointment at Perfect Smiles Dentistry today and have your wisdom teeth evaluated.