Top 6 Reasons to Have Your Wisdom Teeth Removed

Wisdom teeth are the last set of molars to come in, usually between the ages of 17 and 25. Also known as third molars, most dentists recommend extracting these teeth before complications arise. Keep reading to learn more about wisdom teeth, complications of wisdom teeth, and the top six reasons why you should get your wisdom teeth removed.

Common Complications of Wisdom Teeth

The main reason why complications are common with wisdom teeth is because, for most people, there simply isn’t enough room in the mouth for an extra four molars.

Common complications of wisdom teeth include:

• Impaction
• Infection
• Pain or swelling
• Swollen, red, or bleeding gums
• Bad breath
• Dental crowding
• Tooth decay

However, even wisdom teeth without signs or symptoms may still need to be removed, as they can cause damage to the gums or nearby teeth over time. That’s why most dentists recommend removing them before there’s an issue, saving you time, money, and pain.

The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons recommends that young adults have an evaluation of their third molars by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. An oral surgeon can assess your wisdom teeth and create a treatment plan that may include careful monitoring or removal.

What Are the Types of Impacted Wisdom Teeth?

Wisdom teeth are susceptible to impaction. This means they are partially or completely stuck in the jaw bone or gum tissue. This means they cannot fully emerge properly. There are three types of wisdom teeth impaction:

• Angular impaction: The tooth is angled toward the front or back of the mouth. Depending on the angle, it may press against neighboring teeth.
• Horizontal impaction: The tooth is situated lengthwise in the gums. This type of impaction can be painful due to the pressure against the second molar.
• Vertical impaction: Although the tooth is vertical or near vertical, this type of impacted tooth can push against the second molar’s roots.

Whatever the type of impaction, the only way to remove an impacted wisdom tooth is surgically. This is typically done by an oral surgeon, who is an expert in wisdom teeth removal.

Top 6 Reasons To Get Your Wisdom Teeth Removed

While wisdom teeth can cause problems for teens and young adults, removing them during the early to mid-teen years is ideal since the wisdom teeth are still developing, therefore smaller and easier to remove. Here are the top six reasons for wisdom teeth removal:

1. Dental Shifting

Since most people do not have enough room or four extra molars, problems can occur when wisdom teeth do try to squeeze in. Dental shifting happens as a result of untreated wisdom teeth erupting into the mouth. So if you had a straight smile before, you may now notice the surrounding teeth shifting out of place if you let wisdom teeth come in. This can also cause pain or discomfort in the back of the mouth. Dental shifting often causes pressure in the back molars because the wisdom teeth are pressing against the neighboring teeth.

2. Oral Hygiene

Good oral hygiene is essential to healthy teeth and gums. This includes brushing and flossing. However, third molars come in at the very back of the mouth. This is a harder to reach area, so these teeth are more susceptible to plaque buildup, tooth decay, gum disease, and bad breath. Additionally, since room can be tight at the back of the mouth, it can be difficult for the toothbrush or floss to reach between the wisdom teeth and second molars.

3. Jaw Problems

The presence of wisdom teeth can cause jaw pain. Sometimes this pain is caused by impaction or infection. Jaw pain as a result of wisdom teeth can also be due to cysts and tumors that form around the teeth, impaction, or misalignment.

4. Sinus Issues

The wisdom teeth in the upper jaw tend to be close to the sinus cavity. The roots of these teeth, especially when impacted, can grow toward the sinus and cause uncomfortable pressure. This also puts you at risk of an abscess at the root, which can cause sinus pain.

5. Preventive Measures

Even if you don’t have any bothersome symptoms of wisdom teeth, you may elect to get them taken out. In fact, many people get their wisdom teeth removed to protect their oral health and prevent future complications, such as gum disease and oral infection. This might save you time and money down the line since you won’t have to see a specialist to treat painful dental issues due to wisdom teeth!

6. Bank Wisdom Teeth Stem Cells With Life-Saving Potential

The stem cells inside wisdom teeth are often extremely healthy and viable for banking, which means they may be used for future medical therapies. And, since they can be harvested when wisdom teeth are extracted, no extra procedure is necessary. Stemodontics® is a national stem cell banking service that partners with top oral surgery practices across the nation, including 7x7 Dental Implant & Oral Surgery Specialists. Learn more about stem cell banking.

Do Wisdom Teeth Have To Be Removed?

There are occasions when removing wisdom teeth is not necessary. If a wisdom tooth has fully erupted without problems, it may not be necessary to remove it. However, untreated wisdom teeth should be monitored due to the potential for complications in the future, according to the American Dental Association.

Get an Expert Opinion About Your Wisdom Teeth

The surgeons at 7x7 Dental Implant & Oral Surgery Specialists are experts at wisdom teeth removal. With four offices conveniently located around San Francisco and South San Francisco, our experienced team will perform a complete oral evaluation, assess the presence and development of wisdom teeth, and create a treatment plan suited to your needs. Whether you have a child with wisdom teeth that need to be removed or considering wisdom tooth removal for yourself, come see the expert oral surgeons at 7x7 Dental Implant & Oral Surgery Specialists. Contact us for a consultation today.