2 Reasons That Wisdom Teeth Should Not Be Left In The Mouth

Posted on: 30 April 2016

Although their name may suggest it, wisdom teeth do not have any special significance. They are simply the last teeth in the mouth to erupt. Positioned behind the second molars, wisdom teeth usually don't present until a person becomes a teenager or an adult.

Unlike the other teeth in the mouth, wisdom teeth are often targeted for routine extractions. The extraction of a wisdom tooth can be used as a preventive measure to stop the development of unsavory issues that typically accompany the presence of a wisdom tooth, or the removal of the tooth can be performed to treat issues that have already arisen. Here are a few reasons that wisdom teeth should not be left in the mouth:

Wisdom teeth are more susceptible to decay.

Wisdom teeth are not made from an inferior tooth material. Wisdom teeth are made from the same tooth material as the other teeth in the mouth. However, the positioning of the teeth can make it difficult to clean them properly. The head of a toothbrush is unlikely to be able to reach behind a third molar. In addition, flossing in that area can also be difficult.

As a result, a wisdom tooth is more likely to develop cavities and other signs of decay. Once the tooth starts to develop cavities, the decay can spread to the other nearby teeth, especially to a tooth that is adjacent to a wisdom tooth.

By having the wisdom teeth removed, you can prevent the decay of bordering teeth.

Wisdom teeth may cause problems even if it never erupt from the surface.

A wisdom tooth that never erupts may be growing in a misaligned configuration within the jawbone. This may not seem bothersome, since the tooth is not presenting. However, if a wisdom tooth continues to grow beneath the surface of the gums, it can cause a great amount of discomfort.

A wisdom tooth may place pressure on the adjacent teeth as it grows. In addition, the patient may feel tenderness and discomfort each time he or she closes his or her mouth. The gums at the site where the wisdom tooth should have erupted may also become irritated and inflamed.

To determine the positioning of a wisdom tooth that has not presented, your dentist can take a dental x-ray. If the tooth is not growing in a proper manner, the dentist can still extract it from beneath the gums.

If you are concerned about your wisdom teeth, schedule a consultation with a local dentist. Click here to learn more about wisdom teeth removal.

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