Wisdom Teeth: When and Why They Might Need to Be Removed

Wisdom teeth, also referred to as third molars, are often considered to be vestigial organs. This means that they, like your tonsils or your appendix, no longer offer a needed function. In ancient times, wisdom teeth might have been a necessity, serving as a backup when your other molars failed (or had to be extracted).

Today, for many, wisdom teeth can be problematic, especially if they are not positioned correctly or if there is no room for them in your jaw. In some cases, it is best to have some or all of your wisdom teeth removed. So, when should you remove your wisdom teeth? And is it important to remove them at all? Let’s take a look:

When Do Wisdom Teeth Usually Come In?

Most people develop four wisdom teeth – two on the top and two on the bottom. These teeth usually start surfacing between the ages of 17 and 25. It is noteworthy that not all people have all four wisdom teeth, and some don’t develop these teeth at all.

Why You Might Need to Remove Wisdom Teeth?

Wisdom teeth removal isn’t always necessary. In many people, the appearance of these molars doesn’t cause any discomfort or negative effects at all. The teeth can function normally and can provide the same efficiency as normal molars. There are, however, some cases when removal is very important. Here are sme common reasons to get your wisdom teeth removed.

• Causes Impaction

If your jaw doesn’t have enough room for the wisdom teeth to fit, the teeth become impacted. There is no room for them to erupt, and they can get stuck in your gums or jawbone. This can cause a lot of pain, might be a source of constant headaches, and put you at higher risk of developing an infection.

• Causes Crowding or Misalignment

When teeth are impacted, they can start pushing against neighbouring teeth when they do finally erupt. This can cause the other teeth to shift and might cause some misalignment or crowding. This can be a very big problem for those who already have braces.

• Causes Tooth Decay 

Wisdom teeth are far back in the mouth, making them very hard to properly clean. When these teeth cause crowding, it also becomes difficult to properly clean the other teeth in your mouth. The constant pressure caused by crowding can also affect the health of all of the teeth. In the long run, you might struggle with tooth decay or cavities in the wisdom teeth.

• Can Cause Cysts

Because wisdom teeth are more difficult to properly clean, they are more prone to cavities. This can also increase your risk of infections or cysts. Cysts can be very painful and can even result in bone degeneration in the jaw. 

• Pain and Discomfort

As you can imagine, wisdom teeth can cause a lot of pain, and not just when they erupt. If your wisdom teeth are constantly pushing against your other teeth or get caught in the jawbone, it can cause a lot of pain and pressure. This can cause unexplained jaw pain or tension, terrible headaches, and even sinus issues that can be traced back to wisdom teeth.

Book Now for Wisdom Tooth Removal in Newtown

If your wisdom teeth are a problem, or if you suspect that they might be causing discomfort or headaches, book an appointment with a dentist asap. Our Newtown dentists can do a quick X-ray and will be able to tell if your wisdom teeth are problematic or not. If these molars do pose a threat, they can be professionally extracted at our dentistry. 

Contact Blue Tooth Dentist to learn more about our wisdom tooth extraction process or book your checkup right now.