Why do Wisdom Teeth Need to be Extracted?

For some, the mouth has enough room for wisdom teeth to grow in without any complications. For others, when wisdom teeth begin to make their presence known, they can cause a multitude of problems. Bringing pain, shifting teeth, and potential for infections, wisdom teeth are not fun. Many Tampa dentists will recommend extracting your wisdom teeth proactively to prevent damage to the mouth, while others may tell you to wait until its necessary. For those lucky enough to not have enough room to let them grow in naturally, then you are one of the lucky ones.

How You Can Handle Wisdom Teeth

When your Tampa dentist tells you that you’re ready to have your wisdom teeth removed, it’s best not to put the procedure off. When wisdom teeth come in they can cause a great deal of oral pain and even cause damage to your other teeth and gums. If you don’t have enough space in your mouth for all four wisdom teeth, your teeth will begin to shift to make room when they start growing in. This is bad news for those who have had braces or other dental work as your teeth will likely lose their straight appearance. You will also want to make sure your wisdom teeth don’t become impacted. This happens when there just isn’t the room in your mouth for the teeth, and they twist come in sideways as a result. Maintaining regular dentist visits with annual x-rays can help reveal any issues such as this early on, preventing any problems down the road. Impacted teeth can be incredibly painful and they can make your Tampa dentists job much more difficult. Extracting impacted teeth can cause swollen gums and jaw pain, and can even lead to gum disease if not treated quickly and properly.

Extracting your wisdom teeth is something that many people experience in young adulthood. As these teeth make their appearance during the late teens and early twenties, you should consult your dentist to decide if yours need to be removed.