While some don’t have wisdom teeth, others may have two or four. When they come through in the right position, a healthy wisdom tooth can help you chew. But, unfortunately, in most of the cases, wisdom tooth becomes impacted or infected, causing pain. It is normal to feel uncomfortable when they erupt in, but if you have pain, you have to visit the dentist immediately.
Why does a wisdom tooth become problematic?
Rather than giving wisdom, a wisdom tooth often become problematic even for those who have a good oral health. This is why the dentists often recommend wisdom teeth removal and here are a few reasons why it is the smartest thing to do.
Impacted wisdom teeth
A wisdom tooth can be useful for us. But, as they are the last set of teeth to develop, they often do not have enough space on the jaw-line to develop in a healthy position. So, when they attempt to erupt, they push the other nearby teeth and grow in an awkward angle or get trapped under the gum line. This condition is called impaction. An impacted wisdom tooth can cause a lot of problems, including tooth decay, crowding, gingivitis, and oral cancer.
Signs of impacted wisdom teeth
- Mild to severe pain
- Bad breath
- Swollen gums
- Headaches
- Swelling around the jaw area
Why is wisdom teeth removal necessary?
A wisdom tooth can be impacted in four types, including horizontal, vertical, mesial, and vertical impaction. While distal and vertical impacted wisdom teeth are less complicated, horizontal and mesial impaction can be painful and causes a lot of oral issues.
Damage to healthy teeth
When a wisdom tooth tries to erupt through the gums, it can push the other teeth around, causing bite issues and overcrowding. Overcrowding can result in misalignment in your teeth.
Infection
When a wisdom tooth erupts partially it be infected or decayed as they are hard to reach and clean with your toothbrush. Food particles can be trapped in the gum tissue around the partially erupted wisdom teeth and infected. When the gums are infected and swollen, it creates a pocket between teeth that helps bacteria thrive and causes decay.
Jaw damage
If a wisdom tooth is not removed, a cyst can be formed around the new teeth. If left untreated, it can damage the jawbone, gum tissue, and nerves as well.
Sinus
Impacted wisdom teeth can lead to sinus pain, congestion, and pressure.
In order to avoid these complications caused by a wisdom tooth, the dentists recommend cheap wisdom teeth removal if it doesn’t bother you. Still not convinced? Speak to your dentist and get the details of wisdom teeth removal cost during the initial consultation. You can even wait for several months to monitor the growth of the wisdom teeth. But, if you have any signs of pain, swelling, or bad breath, it may be time to pull them out.