4 Reasons Your Dentist May Want to Remove Your Wisdom Teeth

Posted on: 19 July 2017

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Wisdom teeth are an extra set of molars that appear after the rest of your adult teeth. Most people's wisdom teeth erupt when they are between 17 and 21, although some people have no wisdom teeth at all. Whether your wisdom teeth have already erupted or are still trapped inside your gums, your dentist may have recommended that you have them extracted. Here are four complications caused by wisdom teeth that might have driven your dentist to make this recommendation.

1. Overcrowding

Many people don't have enough space in the backs of their mouths for their wisdom teeth. When these extra teeth begin to push their way out of the gums, they can shove your other teeth out of the way. If your dentist has recommended that you have your wisdom teeth extracted due to overcrowding, it's a good idea to follow this recommendation. Without wisdom tooth extraction, your molars could end up being pushed into a poor alignment, which could require extensive orthodontic treatment to fix.

2. Impaction

In some cases, your dentist may recommend you have your wisdom teeth removed before you are aware that you even have wisdom teeth. Unfortunately, wisdom teeth that are trapped inside the gums, known as impacted wisdom teeth, can cause just as many problems as those that push their way through to the surface. Impacted wisdom teeth often become infected, which is why some dentists recommend removing them.

3. Cleaning Problems

Wisdom teeth often erupt at an awkward angle. If your wisdom teeth point sideways into your mouth or toward your teeth, it may be difficult or impossible to reach all their surfaces to clean them. Over the years, wisdom teeth that you can't clean can develop a large buildup of plaque, which can lead to tooth decay or gum disease. If your dentist notices that your wisdom teeth are awkwardly positioned and that you are struggling to keep them clean, he or she might want to extract them to prevent oral health problems in future.

4. Ulcers and Sores

Another problem with poorly aligned wisdom teeth is that their sharp edges can rub against your tongue or the inside of your cheek when you chew. If you often develop oral sores and ulcers, your dentist may recommend wisdom tooth extraction to eliminate the problem. Another option is for your dentist to grind down the chewing surfaces of the wisdom teeth so they are no longer sharp. Talk to your dentist to find out which is the best option for you.