Did you know that retaining wisdom teeth could be disastrous for your oral health and wellbeing? It’s true. Wisdom teeth are incredibly problematic because they are prone to disease and contribute to issues with the occlusion and tooth placement. Most dental professionals recommend that wisdom teeth be extracted to preserve a person’s oral health and quality of life. More than likely, your dentist will refer you to an oral surgeon for wisdom teeth extraction.
Wisdom Teeth and Oral Disease
Wisdom teeth contribute to common oral conditions like gum disease and dental caries because they are difficult to keep clean and because they provide space for bacteria and debris to collect. Over time, this situation leads to the gingiva becoming inflamed from irritants and teeth becoming infected.
Moreover, the emergence of these teeth can cause issues with tooth placement and the occlusion. Even if a person has previously had orthodontic treatment, he or she can still develop poor tooth placement after wisdom teeth come through the gums. This is because there is not enough room for third molars (wisdom teeth) to emerge. Instead, teeth will shift their positioning and become crowded or overlapped.
Third Molars and Discomfort
On top of an increased risk for developing oral disease, the arrival and retention of wisdom teeth can affect a person’s quality of life by causing consistent discomfort. Since teeth already have limited space, the arrival of wisdom teeth will only crowd them. The force associated with limited room and tooth movement can cause orofacial discomfort.
In addition to unwanted tooth movement, the emergence of wisdom teeth can contribute to recurring pain like headaches and discomfort when eating. Wisdom teeth extractions will greatly improve a person’s quality of life by alleviating discomfort caused by wisdom tooth arrival.
Our oral surgeons provide gentle wisdom teeth extractions to teens and adults in our area. Call Northern Texas Facial & Oral Surgery today to set up a consultation.
