Contrary to most people’s belief, wisdom tooth removal is not required for everyone. However, a lot of people end up undergoing the procedure because not having their wisdom teeth extracted can lead to potentially serious dental problems.
Provided below are the common reasons why dentists advise having the procedure to many.
1. Overcrowded gums
Wisdom teeth typically come in between the ripe ages of 17 and 25. Around this time, people already have all the teeth they need, each tooth is where it needs to be, and there’s not enough room for the growth of big wisdom teeth.
When gums are overcrowded already, there’s the risk of “shifting.” This means that the teeth you already have can move out of place to make room for wisdom teeth to come out. This can be painful and it can mess up the proper alignment of your teeth (which you may have already achieved with the help of expensive braces).
Another risk is the unusual growth of wisdom teeth. Overcrowded gums can cause wisdom teeth to break out of the gums in a weird direction, which can make your complete teeth alignment feel quite tight. Also, wisdom teeth that grow in the wrong direction create spaces that are difficult to reach with a toothbrush and become breeding spaces for cavity-causing bacteria.
Overcrowded gums can also cause wisdom teeth to get stuck in the jaw. Impacted wisdom teeth can bring great discomfort. A lot of people suffer from severe headaches due to this dental issue. Not only that — face swelling can also happen.
2. Wisdom teeth come out too far at the back of the mouth
Wisdom teeth that come out this way are simply too difficult to take care of. Most toothbrushes are not designed to reach all the way to the area where they grow. Flossing is rather impossible too without stretching your mouth too wide and triggering your gag reflex.
Therefore, wisdom teeth can be prone to decay and periodontal disease. To ensure oral health, it is better to just have them removed.
3. Wisdom teeth cannot break through the gums completely
This is a common occurrence because of overcrowding as well. What happens is gum tissue grows over the teeth, just partially covering them. The flap of new gum tissue often traps food that you cannot easily remove with a toothbrush or with flossing.
The trapped food debris will eventually turn into tartar, which then can lead to tooth decay and gum infection or periodontal disease.
4. Cysts form around the wisdom teeth
A potentially cancerous mass can develop around the wisdom teeth because they are difficult to keep clean. This is a health risk nobody wants to face, making wisdom tooth removal truly the smart thing to do for overall health and wellbeing.
Do You Need to Have Your Wisdom Teeth Removed?
If any of these issues are present in your mouth right now, set an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible. Have a thorough consultation and examination of your mouth. The risks wisdom teeth can present are no joke, and it is always better to address them sooner than later.
Meanwhile, for young people who are waiting to cut their first wisdom tooth, it is recommended to visit your dentist now for an X-ray examination. The X-ray will reveal if your wisdom teeth are likely to cause dental problems once they come out. From the result of the X-ray exam, your dentist can already create a program to either assist in the proper development of your wisdom teeth or for removal to prevent oral complications.
If it turns out that you really need to have your wisdom teeth extracted, prepare your body for it. The actual procedure will not hurt that much; if at all, the discomfort typically occurs after the extraction.
What you can do before you have your wisdom teeth removed are to improve your oral care practices, eat healthier, and perhaps even start taking vitamins or immunity boosters that can speed up the healing process after the procedure.
AUTHOR BIO
Dr. Zul Paliwalla is the General and Cosmetic British Dentist at NOA Dental Clinic, specializing in smile-related concerns. With over 33 years of experience in the UK, Dr. Zul has successfully worked on and improved many internationally recognized smiles. He is a certified Invisalign® GOLD provider as well and has brought his elite expertise to Dubai not only to enjoy the sun, sea and sand, but also to offer his brand of personalized smile makeovers.