Though age brings more experience and wisdom into your life, you’ll also notice some extra molars coming through your gums. These vestigial teeth were once useful when dental care wasn’t too great and adults needed some “emergency” teeth to get them through the rest of their life. However, today we have evolved to not need them as much. Nevertheless, between the ages 17 and 25, wisdom teeth usually make their appearance.
When our jaws can’t accommodate them or they don’t grow in properly, wisdom teeth can be a nuisance instead of a helpful extra tooth or two. What do you do when you have a wisdom tooth that’s bothering you? It’s best to be seeing your dentist from your youth so that you already have x-rays and scans that show exactly where your teeth are and what your wisdom teeth are up to. Here are 5 reasons why you should remove your wisdom teeth.
1. Your Teeth Are Overcrowded.
If your jaw is too small to handle all your teeth, your wisdom teeth are definitely “extra” teeth that can’t fit properly. If your wisdom teeth are allowed to grow in your mouth, the rest of your teeth will be pushed around and become crooked. Removing these wisdom teeth early is the only way to prevent future dental problems such as crowding.
2. They’re Impacted.
Wisdom teeth can sometimes grow in your mouth improperly. When they’re impacted, they come out sideways. This improper position causes a wide variety of dental problems like swollen gums and pain. These teeth need to be removed as soon as possible. After all, you can’t even use them to chew!
3. They’re Trapped Beneath Your Gums And Bone.
Wisdom teeth that can’t come through shouldn’t stay in your mouth. They are also going to put you at risk for dangerous gum infections. If your x-rays are showing wisdom teeth that look trapped, you need to schedule an extraction.
4. They’ve Partially Erupted.
Partially erupted wisdom teeth are halfway out but have the other side covered with a flap of gums. These teeth present a few dental problems that range from bothersome to severe.
- Bad breath (halitosis)
- Gum infections
- Cavities
- Rotting teeth
- Pain
- Difficulty cleaning
- Inflammation
Food can get trapped in the flap of gums on top of your partially erupted wisdom tooth to fester bacteria. This leads to bad smells and infections if you don’t properly clean your teeth. Unfortunately, problems can still arise even after practicing great home care. Sometimes it’s just impossible to get all the debris out of the tighter spaces. If you’re suffering from any of these dental problems, it’s best to remove the tooth right away.
5. You Have Pericoronitis.
If you let an impacted or partially erupted tooth go for too long, you can end up with a dangerous tooth infection known as pericoronitis. This condition can cause a series of unpleasant symptoms:
- Pain and tenderness
- Fever
- Bad breath (halitosis)
- Feeling generally unwell
- Swelling of the gums around the tooth
- Difficulty opening your mouth
- Presence of an abscess & pus
- Spreading of infection to cheek or chest (this requires hospitalization)
- Death from sepsis (in extreme cases where you leave it untreated for a long time)
As you can see, pericoronitis is pretty awful but is thankfully a completely preventable condition. It takes a lot of neglect to have it escalate to be a life-threatening condition. The best way to prevent it is to properly clean your teeth and to visit your dentist regularly to keep tabs on all your wisdom teeth.
A simple tooth extraction is a cost-effective procedure compared to days in the hospital or special treatment from a widespread infection that started from a small tooth. Therefore, be vigilant about your self-care and be faithful about going to the dentist.
Get A Checkup Today
The best way to prevent and treat wisdom tooth problems is to get early detection with the best dental office in Los Angeles. Visiting your dentist regularly is your first line of defense against common wisdom tooth problems that can affect your health. Call us today to schedule a consultation or your next appointment.