Wisdom teeth are the last set of molars to emerge in the mouth, usually between the ages of 17 and 25. While they can be beneficial in some cases, they can also cause a variety of problems. In this article, we'll discuss the advantages of wisdom teeth removal, as well as the potential risks and side effects. One of the primary benefits of extracting wisdom teeth is that it can help prevent a range of dental issues. These include gum disease and inflammation, pain in the face and mouth, overcrowded teeth, bite problems, and tooth decay. Removing wisdom teeth can also help reduce pain, decrease gum sensitivity, and alleviate tooth sensitivity. In addition, removing wisdom teeth can help reduce chronic headaches caused by the pressure of wisdom teeth.
It can also improve tooth quality and reduce restrictions on food and drinks. This is because when there are too many teeth in the dental arch, they can slowly misalign in an attempt to make room. Removing wisdom teeth can reduce the likelihood of needing orthodontic appliances or significantly reduce the alignment problems that future orthodontic treatment seeks to correct. However, it's important to note that there are no scientifically proven health benefits to removing wisdom teeth that don't cause any issues. In addition, removing wisdom teeth can be unpleasant and cause side effects.
People with crooked incisors or small jaws may worry that their teeth will become even more misaligned if their wisdom teeth grow outside the gum line. The dentist may also have to work around other teeth and the wisdom tooth may become stuck in other teeth or in the surrounding bone. Wisdom teeth can also put a lot of pressure on adjacent molars and potentially crush enamel or damage roots. If you wait until these issues have occurred before having your wisdom teeth removed, you may need additional treatment. If you or your child have wisdom teeth or if your general dentist has detected them during a checkup, it's important to contact an oral surgeon for wisdom tooth extraction.
This can save you from needing expensive root canals and fillings in the future. When wisdom teeth grow and come out, they can clutter up the teeth and damage neighboring molars. Many patients who develop wisdom teeth without any noticeable side effects often develop oral hygiene problems that they don't realize until it causes pain or a dentist notices it. If you've already had braces, removing your wisdom teeth reduces the chances that your hard-earned smile will be lost. The decision whether or not to remove wisdom teeth will mainly depend on whether they are already causing problems or if they are very likely to do so in the future. Wisdom teeth that don't break (sometimes also called “impacted wisdom teeth”) don't usually cause any issues.
However, a common result of impacted wisdom teeth is gum inflammation, which can be persistent and extremely difficult to treat.