When wisdom teeth begin to erupt, they often cause more harm than good. These third molars, which usually appear between the ages of 17 and 25, rarely fit comfortably in the mouth. As a result, dentists often recommend oral surgery to remove them before they become a serious issue.
While some individuals may be lucky enough to have wisdom teeth come in straight and healthy, most will encounter problems that require attention. Let’s explore 5 reasons why going for oral surgery to extract wisdom teeth is a necessary step toward long-term dental health. Read on!
Preventing Alignment Problems
One of the most common reasons to go for oral surgery is to stop overcrowding in your mouth. By the time wisdom teeth erupt, most people’s mouths already contain a full set of adult teeth. There usually isn’t enough room left at the back of the jaw to accommodate these extra molars.
When wisdom teeth push through the gums, they often come in sideways or at odd angles. This can push the surrounding teeth out of place, leading to misalignment. Even if you’ve had braces or aligners in the past, emerging wisdom teeth can undo years of alignment work.
Reducing the Risk of Gum Infections
When wisdom teeth begin to come in, they often break through the gum line partially or not at all. This creates a perfect hiding place for food particles, bacteria, and plaque. Because these teeth are so far back in the mouth, they’re hard to clean properly.
Trapped bacteria in these tight, hard-to-reach areas can lead to gum infection. It causes swelling, bad breath, jaw stiffness, and sometimes a fever. If untreated, this infection can spread deeper into the tissue, requiring more aggressive treatment.
Stopping Cyst Formation
Another silent danger that comes with wisdom teeth is the formation of cysts. When a wisdom tooth remains beneath the gum, a fluid-filled sac can form around it. This sac is known as a dental cyst. At first, it might seem harmless. But over time, it can grow and damage surrounding structures.
Cysts put pressure on the jawbone, nerves, and other nearby teeth. If not addressed early, they can erode the bone and make it more difficult for the jaw to support your existing teeth. In some cases, the cyst can lead to the development of a tumor that requires additional surgery to remove.
Relieving Persistent Pain
Pain is often the clearest signal that something is wrong with your teeth. When it comes to wisdom teeth, the pain can range from mild pressure to sharp discomfort. This pain might be felt in the back of the mouth, in the jaw, or even radiating up toward the ears.
Sometimes, the pain results from the tooth itself pressing against nerves or other teeth. In other cases, it may be due to infection or inflammation.
Avoiding Emergency Complications
Delaying wisdom tooth removal might seem harmless if they’re not causing problems right away. However, as you age, the risks associated with wisdom teeth increase. Bones become denser, the roots of the teeth grow deeper, and healing times become longer.
Many adults end up needing emergency oral surgery later in life due to sudden infections or severe pain caused by wisdom teeth that were left in place.