Have you ever wondered why so many teenagers and young adults have their wisdom teeth removed?

We will take a look at why dentists and oral surgeons recommend having wisdom teeth removed.

Not Removing Wisdom Teeth can Cause Problems

Wisdom teeth, which are known as third molars, often start to grow in around the age of 16. Unfortunately, most people’s mouths are either too small or too narrow to accommodate these new teeth. The lack of space available for the wisdom teeth to comfortably grow in can cause a number of problems ranging from chronic headaches to extensive damage to your other teeth.

In order to avoid problems, dentists and oral surgeons will recommend that you have your wisdom teeth removed when they first appear to be growing in. Removing them before they fully erupt prevents you from experiencing numerous problems that can cause you extensive pain and even result in the need for other dental procedures.

Examples of Problems Caused by Wisdom Teeth Not Being Removed

If wisdom teeth are not removed they can cause a number of problems ranging from infections and headaches to overcrowding, bad breath, and chronic headaches or pain. Sometimes a person will experience just one problem from their wisdom teeth, while other times you can experience a combination of problems.

Some examples of the problems that can be caused by wisdom teeth not being removed include:

• Chronic pain of the lower jaw
• Swelling and inflammation of the jaw
• Irritated and inflamed gums that can bleed or are prone to infection
• Bad breath that doesn’t seem to go away
• Loss of gum tissue or bone in the lower or upper jaw
• Infection – can happen when the wisdom teeth partially erupt as food and bacteria can get stuck around the tooth and infections can develop
• Severe gum disease
• Damage to surrounding teeth
• Overcrowding that leads to permanent teeth shifting and moving

Typically, if you experience one problem from your wisdom teeth, you will likely experience other problems in the future. Oral surgeons will recommend having your wisdom teeth removed when you first experience problems from them to prevent you from experiencing other more serious problems in the future.

What Happens if Wisdom Teeth are Not Removed?

If you choose to not have your wisdom teeth removed, you put yourself at risk of experiencing a number of chronic problems. The problems you can experience from not having wisdom teeth removed include:

• Recurrent infections
• Chronic jaw pain as a result of the development of a growth, cyst or tumor near the wisdom teeth
• Bad breath that never goes away
• Teeth shifting to the point you need to undergo orthodontic treatment to improve your smile
• Cavities develop in the wisdom teeth and surrounding teeth as they are difficult to properly clean
• Severe gum disease

Not Experiencing Any Problems? You May Still Need Your Wisdom Teeth Removed

Even if you think you aren’t experiencing any problems from your wisdom teeth you may still need to have them removed. Wisdom teeth may appear asymptomatic but they can be causing you problems that aren’t visible or noticeable.

An oral surgeon will be able to evaluate your individual situation and determine if your wisdom teeth need to be removed. Sometimes, if your wisdom teeth are asymptomatic and your oral surgeon doesn’t notice any problems you may be able to take a “watch and wait” approach. This means you won’t have to have your wisdom teeth removed, but they will need to be monitored as they can cause problems at any time.

If you are experiencing problems with your wisdom teeth and need to have them removed or if you want an oral surgeon to evaluate you and see if they need to be removed, call Vero VIP Implants & Periodontics. Our experienced oral surgeon will evaluate your case and determine if your wisdom teeth should be removed.

Call our office today to schedule a consultation to discuss having your wisdom teeth removed.