Reasons Your Dentist May Suggest Extraction For Your Wisdom Teeth

Your wisdom teeth should not be systematically removed if there is no potential for associated problems to develop. However, in most cases, there is little benefit to keeping your wisdom teeth, and there are many valid reasons to have your wisdom teeth extracted. Here are some of the reasons that a dentist may suggest wisdom tooth removal:

Impaction

If one of your wisdom teeth is unable to erupt, removal may be the best option. If a cyst or lesion develops because of the impacted tooth, serious ramifications, such as crowding or damage to adjacent teeth, could result. Since a wisdom tooth is close to the jaw line, infection associated with an impacted tooth can make it painful to even open your mouth.

Partial Eruption

Your wisdom teeth may erupt partially and then stop. This may not sound like a problem, but a portion of the partially erupted tooth can remain covered by a flap of gum tissue. That flap can trap food particles and plaque that increase the likelihood of gum inflammation and tooth decay.

Healthy Baby

If you are pregnant, your inflamed wisdom teeth could affect the birth weight of your child. In some cases, the inflammation could even cause your baby to be born too early. In one study, patients with gum disease around their wisdom teeth had twice the risk of preterm birth. Nevertheless, 95 percent of people have at least one remaining wisdom tooth, and 3 out of 4 people still have all four wisdom teeth.

Cleaning Difficulties

A wisdom tooth is a third molar. Its position in the mouth can make proper cleaning nearly impossible. Decay resulting from insufficient plaque removal can lead to chronic gum issues, tooth loss or even jawbone damage.

Age

If your wisdom teeth have not been removed, your dentist may suggest extraction while you are still a young adult. Wisdom teeth are the last teeth in your mouth to present. As you age, the roots of the wisdom teeth delve deeper into the jawbone. This can make extraction more difficult. It is best to have the teeth removed early.

Crowding

Depending on the size and structure of your oral cavity, even fully erupted wisdom teeth can cause your teeth to be crowded. Excessive crowding may require additional dental intervention, such as braces, to correct the condition.

If your wisdom teeth have fully presented and they have not caused any issues with your oral health, keeping them in place may not be problem. However, if you have experienced any discomfort around your wisdom teeth, extraction may be best. Contact a dentist like Dr. Peter L Drob to have your wisdom teeth professionally assessed. A dentist who specializes in wisdom teeth removal can advise of the benefits and risks associated with keeping your wisdom teeth.

Share