The mysterious third set of molars that grows in with your adult teeth are called wisdom teeth. It might not be noticeable or visible, but they are there and can cause some serious dental problems if ignored. Murfreesboro Family Dentistry has the knowledge to help you avoid these issues before they arise from a crash party for your pearly whites!
Why do people get their wisdom teeth removed?
There is a lot of talk about the idea that people need to have their wisdom teeth removed. Though some think it’s just an unnecessary procedure, others argue that there are many benefits when someone has this done, including reduced pain and swelling as well as less crowding in your mouth.
Crooked Wisdom Teeth
Crooked teeth can be a huge problem since they are much more susceptible to germs and infection. Sideways wisdom teeth that have not yet stopped moving can push into the neighboring molars which causes domino effects of crooked and crowded spaces between your other teeth.
Impacted Wisdom Teeth
Impacted wisdom teeth are wisdom teeth that haven’t erupted. The problem with this is that there may be no way to know if the tooth will cause any problems until it becomes too big and starts causing pain or other issues in your mouth.
If a tooth stays under the surface of gum tissue for long enough without ever coming out through your gums, then you can have an issue called “tissue impact”. This means that bacteria could gather between where the jaw bone meets up against what’s left of old baby teeth (that only grow back about 1 cm) which would eventually lead into a painful infection!
Many people who experience this find themselves struggling just to eat because their headaches from constant inflammation make them sore.
How can I tell if my wisdom teeth will cause problems?
Hopefully you’ve been diligent about brushing and flossing your teeth, so that they’re healthy when the time comes to get them pulled. Your dentist may be able to tell by looking at old X-rays if it’s better for you just leave those wisdom teeth in place or extract them as soon as possible!
If you find your gums around your molars, jawline, or taste buds feel swollen and sore instead of normal then it might be time to have a closer look. You may want an examination by the dentist if this is happening frequently even though there are no outward signs that wisdom teeth need removal.
Wisdom teeth can be a problem if you don’t know what’s going on back there. Your dental hygienist or dentist is happy to talk about your wisdom teeth’s health during routine exams and let you in on any issues that need attention.
Call Murfreesboro Family Dentistry today to schedule your consultation.
