Wisdom teeth are notorious for causing problems. Young adults between ages 18 and 24 are most likely to experience oral pain and dysfunction due to impacted wisdom teeth. Thankfully, these teeth are no longer essential to our oral function. In many cases, wisdom teeth removal is recommended, but it isn’t always necessary. Be sure to meet with an experienced and trustworthy dentist to receive the most accurate diagnosis.
Wisdom teeth don’t need to be removed when they develop properly and are surrounded by healthy gum tissue. When you visit with our dentist, Dr. Rod Gleave, you can feel confident that you’ll receive the right diagnosis. At our dental office, we are passionate about providing excellent dental care and building lasting relationships.
Here are five sure signs wisdom teeth removal is necessary:
1. Overcrowding
When impacted wisdom teeth erupt, the neighboring teeth are pushed closer together. This leads to dental misalignment, even if you’ve already had braces. To avoid this issue, be sure to visit the dentist for regular exams. During these visits, the dentist will evaluate the development of your wisdom teeth and recommend extraction before overcrowding occurs.
2. Damage to neighboring teeth
Another side-effect of overcrowding could be damage to adjacent teeth. This could also lead to bone loss and cavities.
3. Inflammation and infection
A partially impacted wisdom tooth creates a separation between the tooth and the gum where bacteria can quickly multiply. This dramatically increases the risk of infection.
Inflammation is another possible complication. Once the gums begin to swell in one area, the inflammation often spreads to surrounding areas. Extraction is often the only solution to alleviate these symptoms.
4. Cysts or tumors
More serious symptoms of impacted wisdom teeth are cysts and tumors in the jawbone. Patients often feel pain in the jawbone joint (also called the temporomandibular joint) in addition to dental pain. Cysts and tumors typically require the expertise of an oral surgeon or TMJ specialist.
5. Hygiene issues
Even if your wisdom teeth do develop properly, it may be difficult to keep them clean because of their location and lack of space. During a regular dental cleaning, a dental hygienist may notice your wisdom teeth aren’t getting as much attention as your other molars. If this is the case, the dentist may recommend an extraction to avoid cavities and gum disease later on.
How To Avoid These Complications
Many people don’t realize they need a wisdom teeth removal until they begin to experience one or more of these symptoms. Fortunately, this doesn’t have to be the case. Dentists and oral surgeons can determine whether or not your wisdom teeth will develop properly before any of these problems occur.
Be sure to visit the dentist regularly for x-rays and express any concerns you have about your developing wisdom teeth. Studies show that it’s much better to receive an early wisdom tooth removal than to wait for a complication to arise.
For Honest, Comfortable Dental Care
When searching for a dentist to perform a wisdom teeth removal, be sure to find one who has good patient reviews and experience with this procedure.
Dr. Gleave’s extensive experience ensures patients receive the best and most comfortable care possible. Our office also offers three safe dental sedation options to help patients relax during the procedure.
To schedule an initial consultation with our Salt Lake City dentist, call (801) 923-6406 today.
