Many patients have 1-4 wisdom teeth that they may need removed at some point. These teeth, called third molars, tend to erupt when a person is between 17-25 years old. They can cause various problems if they don't grow in straight. Some get stuck and emerge only partially through the gums or don't emerge at all. What can happen if you don’t get them out? In this blog post, we discuss some concerns with problematic wisdom teeth.
Increased Risk of Cavities
Wisdom teeth are challenging to clean because you have to reach really far back and the angle is tricky. Difficulty brushing and flossing these teeth leads to a higher risk of decay.
Tooth Damage
When wisdom teeth erupt crooked or you don't have enough room for them, they can run into neighboring teeth. This causes your teeth to shift and even grind against each other. Besides making cleaning harder, this crowding can cause damage to your enamel and tooth roots.
Infections
Because wisdom teeth and the surrounding teeth are at a higher risk of decay, the risk of infection is also higher. Wisdom teeth can also become impacted, which is when they don’t erupt all the way. This creates a perfect space for bacteria buildup and painful infections.
Cysts
Cysts are fluid-filled sacs that can form in your gums next to impacted wisdom teeth down in the jawbone. If they burst, cysts can damage your teeth, jawbone, and nerves.
Wisdom Teeth Removal in Indian Trail, NC
Wisdom teeth removal is a common form of tooth extraction. Many patients opt for sedation during the process, but even if you’re awake, it will be painless because we thoroughly numb the area. After your surgery, our team will provide detailed aftercare instructions so you heal as smoothly as possible.
While we understand that the prospect of a tooth extraction is never fun, in certain situations they protect you from worse dental consequences down the road. If you have questions or want to schedule an appointment, please contact our Pleasant Plains Dental team today!
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Your oral surgeon has said that you need wisdom teeth removal. You, on the other hand, haven’t noticed a problem with your third molars — and besides, you’re not all that thrilled about going under the knife.
Why not just forget about the procedure? What could happen if you decide not to undergo wisdom teeth removal? Here’s a look at what your future may hold.
You Could Develop an Infection
Oral surgeons often recommend wisdom tooth extraction when the third molars have only partially erupted. Having teeth that are stuck in the gums comes with an increased risk of infection, which can be life-threatening if left untreated.
You Could See More Tooth Decay
The location of the wisdom teeth in the mouth makes them difficult to care for properly. Brushing and flossing may not be enough to keep the third molar area clean, and that means tooth decay is much more likely to occur.
Your Teeth Could Become Crooked
When wisdom teeth come in crooked, they can crowd the neighboring teeth, pushing them out of place and causing permanent damage. A misaligned bite can lead to temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder and even the need for corrective jaw surgery.
You Could End Up with Bone Damage
If a wisdom tooth fails to emerge, a cyst can form next to it. As time goes on, the cyst will weaken the jawbone, creating hollow spots within the bone tissue. To resolve this issue, removal of both the offending tooth and the cyst is necessary.
Plan to Get Your Wisdom Teeth Removed
Now that you know what could happen if you don’t get wisdom teeth removal, you can see why putting off the procedure isn’t advisable. If your oral surgeon has recommended that you have your third molars extracted, it’s best done now — before you experience any problems.
The good news? You’ll likely only need one appointment for the procedure and one for a follow-up to allow your oral surgeon to see how you’re healing. And by taking a proactive approach to wisdom tooth extraction — and following the aftercare instructions provided — you’ll be setting yourself up for a smooth and easy recovery.
At Richmond Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, we specialize in wisdom tooth management. Our board-certified oral surgeons have extensive experience completing both simple and complex tooth extractions, and our entire staff is dedicated to making sure every patient has a positive experience.
You want a compassionate, caring team to perform your wisdom tooth extraction, and that’s what you’ll find at Richmond Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. Contact our office in Richmond, Indiana, and schedule a wisdom teeth removal consultation today.