A wisdom tooth is one of the four teeth at the back of the jaw that are the last to grow. If your wisdom teeth are healthy, erupted fully, correct in position, proper in bite, and easy to clean, you can keep them. If they are carious, embedded in gums, crooked in place, partially erupted, crowding other teeth, and affecting nearby healthy teeth, you should remove them. Most people do not have enough space in their jaws to accommodate wisdom teeth properly. As a result, these third molars may become impacted, meaning they cannot fully emerge through the gums. Wisdom teeth are located at the back of the mouth, making them challenging to clean properly. Due to their position, they are more susceptible to tooth decay and cavities. Furthermore, the surrounding teeth may become more difficult to clean effectively, increasing the risk of decay in adjacent teeth.
That extra set of molars can push your other teeth, causing gum pain and bite problems. In some cases, cysts can form around an impacted wisdom tooth. If they aren’t treated, they can hollow out the jaw and damage the nerves. Problems with wisdom teeth can lead to sinus pain, pressure, and congestion. Gums can swell and may be hard to clean. Swollen gums can create pockets between teeth that help bacteria grow and cavities form. Impacted wisdom teeth can undo the effects of braces, bridges, crowns, partial dentures, or any dental work. They also can put pressure on the jawbone and surrounding nerves, leading to jaw pain, headaches, and discomfort.
Frequently, wisdom teeth become trapped in the jawbone and don't break through the gum tissue. Sometimes wisdom teeth are crooked and cause cavities or gum disease. If wisdom teeth are crooked, blocked by other teeth, or have a flap of the gum tissue on top, plaque, and food can enter around the tooth and cause cavities, gum disease, or wisdom tooth infection. Wisdom teeth can exert pressure on adjacent teeth, leading to crowding or shifting. Removing the wisdom teeth can alleviate overcrowding and reduce the potential for further misalignment or bite problems. X-rays are taken to see if you have wisdom teeth and how they are placed in your jawbone.
As impacted wisdom teeth can cause infection, cysts, benign tumors, crowding, alignment issues, and damage to nearby teeth, removing your wisdom teeth as soon as possible prevents more problems and complications down the road. Please don’t wait until it’s unbearable. Avoid wisdom teeth problems!
Here are some possible symptoms your wisdom teeth could be causing problems:
Pain and difficulty opening mouth
Bad breath and taste
Earache
Swollen gums
Swollen glands
If you suffer from any of these symptoms and have concerns about the impact of wisdom tooth removal on your other teeth, consult our dental team. We can assess your oral health, explain the potential outcomes, and provide personalized advice based on your circumstances. It may be your wisdom teeth causing that pain. We provide general anesthesia so that you won’t feel a thing! Take proactive steps to ensure the health of your wisdom teeth. For more information about wisdom tooth extraction, please call our office at (203) 945-0068 or contact us online.
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