If you still have your wisdom teeth, your dentist might have mentioned that you should think about getting them extracted. It is understandable if you are reluctant to commit to the procedure! After all, no one likes the idea of getting a tooth pulled. However, there are some big reasons why you should seriously consider consenting to wisdom teeth extractions. This blog post explains three.
1. They May Stay Stuck Beneath Your Gumline
If you cannot see or feel your wisdom teeth, they might be fully impacted (stuck beneath the gumline). In this position, they can cause a number of complications, including:
- Cysts
- Tumors
- Pain
- Infections
- Nerve damage
- Difficulty fully opening your mouth
2. They May Only Partially Erupt
Partially impacted wisdom teeth may be slightly visible above the gumline. Similar to fully impacted teeth, they can contribute to pain, infections, and cysts. Additional issues that may occur include:
- Oral hygiene challenges. Partially impacted wisdom teeth can be difficult to clean. They can trap food around them and be likely to develop decay. Bad breath and gum irritation can also result.
- Damage to nearby teeth. Food trapped around impacted wisdom teeth can also affect nearby teeth, increasing their risk of decay.
3. Fully Erupted Wisdom Teeth Can Also Cause Problems
In some cases, wisdom teeth fully erupt from the gumline. However, that is not always a good thing. If your mouth is not big enough to accommodate them, they can push against the other teeth, which can cause pain and lead to a misaligned bite.
How Can You Tell If You Need Wisdom Teeth Extractions?
It is important to note that the above-listed complications do not occur in every case. Some people are able to keep their wisdom teeth without any problems. Your dentist will monitor these teeth at your routine checkups, and if it seems that they are healthy and are unlikely to cause future problems, there is no real reason to remove them. However, if that ever changes, it would be wise to undergo extractions as soon as your schedule allows.
Wisdom teeth extractions could spare you from pain and severe oral health problems! If your dentist recommends this procedure, you should accept their advice.
Meet the Practice
At New Haven Dental Group, we have a long history of providing top-quality care to the communities we serve. We are able to handle most wisdom tooth extractions right here in-office. If you believe this procedure might benefit you, we are ready to assess the situation and provide our expert opinion. To learn more about us or to request an appointment, contact our Woodbridge, CT, location at 203-409-2535.