Once, having your wisdom teeth removed was a standard part of growing up, similar to losing your appendix. But while it is often still necessary to have these back molars extracted, many dentists are now taking a more nuanced approach to wisdom teeth, and you may not need to undergo surgery if your teeth are coming in healthy. Although they do not always occur, these are the three common wisdom tooth complications that require extraction, as well as the considerations you must keep in mind when deciding with your dentist to keep or remove them.
Impacting Below the Gum Line
One of the most common reasons why dental teeth become a problem is that they often fail to even erupt like normal teeth. The crowded conditions in the back of your mouth mean that any emerging molars stand a good chance of bumping into other teeth and turning sideways, causing them to grow into the roots of another tooth or the surrounding gum tissue. This is what causes the aching pain of wisdom teeth, which is typically the first sign that you need to have them extracted.
Crowding Your Other Teeth
In other cases, your wisdom teeth may grow in normally, but then lack the space they need. When this happens, they may displace your other teeth to make room, resulting in a cramped and crooked smile. Wisdom teeth are ancient remnants of more primitive human physiology, back when jaws were wider and more powerful to chew through tougher foods. More delicate modern jaws simply have no need or space for wisdom teeth, but if you already have gaps in your smile or a particularly broad jaw, you may be able to accommodate the extra teeth with no issues.
Complicating Dental Procedures
Even if your wisdom teeth aren't actively causing trouble, they tend to be more prone to other complications like cavities, since it can be difficult to brush and floss adequately at the back of the mouth. Furthermore, many dentists prefer to remove them preemptively because they can be nearly impossible to work on for the same reasons. If your teeth are borderline, you should talk with your dentist about whether or not the possible disadvantages of keeping your wisdom teeth outweigh the benefits of avoiding surgery.
Deciding to Keep or Extract Your Teeth
At the end of the day, you should listen carefully to the advice of your dentist when it comes to your wisdom teeth. In most cases, extracting wisdom teeth is the safer option to avoid future problems later on. If you have been feeling an ache in the back of your jaw but have been putting off seeing your dentist, the problem won't go away on its own. Schedule an appointment today to let a dental professional examine your wisdom teeth and help you decide on the best course of action for your particular situation. Click here to learn more about wisdom teeth extraction.
Share26 July 2016
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