If your dentist recommends wisdom teeth removal, you should listen. While not everyone will have wisdom tooth issues, you should allow your dentist’s knowledge of dental health to be your guiding light. While some grow in with no issues, partially erupted wisdom teeth can lead to pain and infections. And, if they are impacted it is difficult to floss and brush properly which can cause serious issues.
What Are Wisdom Teeth?
They are the last or third set of molars. They are usually the last adult teeth to grow in and should arrive before your early 20s. Though, for some, they never erupt. When they do grow in, they can cause overcrowding. Impaction is another common issue, this is when your tooth grows in at an angle affecting the neighbouring tooth or gum. Problem teeth can result in bad breath, chewing issues, pain, and infection. Generally, if you are having problems with your wisdom teeth, your dentist will recommend removal.
What Is The Purpose of Wisdom Teeth & The Issues They Cause
What is the point of wisdom teeth if we can simply have them removed with no dire consequences? Their job is to grind food after your other teeth tear your food down into smaller pieces.
What types of issues do wisdom teeth cause? Well, sometimes they are impacted, which means they grow in at an angle. It isn’t just dangerous to the teeth next to it, it can also be painful. As it makes brushing and flossing more difficult, it can also lead to infection with bacteria and food getting stuck. This can result in tooth decay, which can spread to other teeth and also cause gum infections.
Upper wisdom teeth may lean sideways, which can result in chewing issues and cheek ulcers due to rubbing.
Overcrowding is one of the most common reasons for wisdom tooth removal. If your mouth does not have the space to accommodate four more teeth, removal will protect your existing adult teeth.
How To Tell If Your Wisdom Teeth Should Be Removed
The best person to determine whether your wisdom teeth should be removed or not is your dentist. There are some obvious signs to suggest you have a wisdom tooth issue.
- There isn’t room for them to grow in properly.
- It is damaging the neighbouring tooth.
- You have an infection or, you are experiencing pain.
- An infected wisdom tooth can
- Cause inflammation around the gums
- Cause pain and swelling
- Result in pus around the gums
- Cause sore swollen lymph nodes beneath the jaw
- Trigger constant headaches
- Cause bad breath
- Result in a fever
If you have a current infection, a dental hygienist can clean the area to help improve the area’s overall hygiene. In some cases, your dentist may provide you with a prescription for antibiotics to clear the infection. If you have a recurring infection, then typical treatment involves the removal of wisdom teeth. If you don’t have recurring infections, you may still need your wisdom teeth removed. Your dentist will take x-rays to determine whether they will cause an issue, whether they are growing in or not.
When To See A Dentist
If you have any of the signs or symptoms above, you should see an emergency dentist as soon as possible. If you suspect your wisdom tooth is causing issues, you should make a visit to the dental hygienist for a dental health check.
At Aesthetic Dental & Denture Clinic, we offer a range of services from dental veneers to dentures, wisdom teeth removal, and more. We are also proud to offer Afterpay dental on a variety of treatments. Get in touch with us today if you want to learn more about the cost of dental implants or plan your wisdom tooth extraction.
