The Benefits of Wisdom Teeth Removal

                                          The Benefits of Wisdom Teeth Removal

Wisdom teeth – the third and final set of molars – typically do not erupt until late in the teenage years or early 20s. Though not everyone needs their wisdom teeth removed, those that do will likely experience problems with them between the ages 25 and 30.

Why Should My Wisdom Teeth Be Removed?

Healthy, well-positioned wisdom teeth do not cause problems, however, this is usually not the case when wisdom teeth erupt. Oftentimes, there is not enough space in the mouth to accommodate an additional set of teeth, which can lead to several dental issues.

·       A wisdom tooth that does not fully integrate into the mouth or align with the other teeth can become impacted in the jaw. Impacted teeth can house bacteria, which eventually leads to gum disease and infection.

·       If a tooth fails to come in completely, tissue will grow over the tooth, allowing food and other particles to become lodged under this tissue and form bacteria.

·       Teeth that grow in awkwardly can also have a huge impact on the overall comfortability and bite of the jaw. It can force the surrounding teeth to reposition themselves or push together and overlap.

·       Wisdom teeth that erupt only partially can sometimes cause fluid-filled sacs to form, otherwise known as cysts. To stave off infection and avoid damage to neighboring tissue, these cysts should be promptly drained or removed. However, there are no guarantees the cysts will not reform even after removal.

Due to their position in the jaw, wisdom teeth are exceptionally hard to clean. Flossing and brushing can be a challenge, so tooth decay and cavities are common ailments for these hard-to-reach teeth. And since your wisdom teeth are difficult to see without using a dental mirror, it is almost impossible to gauge visual indicators of infection or other problems.

Because of the problems wisdom teeth present, doctors recommend taking preventative measures whenever possible. Many oral surgeons advocate extraction in youth before the teeth have a chance to emerge. Young adults are particularly resistant to infection and generally have faster, healthier recovery times.

Are There Risks?

In most cases, there are no long-term effects associated with wisdom teeth extraction. Despite the procedure’s success rate, however, some minor complications can occur, such as a painful dry socket where the tooth was removed, infection due to food particles trapped in the vacant sockets, and damage to neighboring teeth or sinuses.

The benefits of wisdom tooth removal are great. To avoid many of these issues, consult with Solace Oral Surgery for options and information about removal.