Have you ever wondered why a wisdom tooth extraction is necessary? Wisdom teeth are the last to erupt, but they’re the most commonly removed. In fact, most people need to have at least one wisdom tooth extraction in their lifetime, usually in their late teens to early twenties.
Here at Northside Family Dental, we regularly perform wisdom tooth extractions for our patients, and below, you’ll find a few key reasons why this procedure is so necessary to your oral health.
- Impaction – Oftentimes, there is not enough room in your mouth for wisdom teeth to grow in, so they become impacted if you don’t get a wisdom tooth extraction. Impacted teeth are trapped under your gum line and can cause all kinds of issues, from pain and swelling to infections or cysts.
- Crowding – Another issue that arises if your mouth doesn’t have room for the newly erupted wisdom teeth is crowding. If your wisdom teeth are putting pressure on your other teeth, it can cause them to shift and misalign, which can even lead to problems with your entire dental arch. A wisdom tooth extraction prevents this and ensures there is enough space in your mouth for all your adult teeth to be properly aligned.
- Partial Eruptions – Sometimes, wisdom teeth only partially erupt, which can leave your gums susceptible to infection. The small openings around a tooth left by a partial eruption are breeding grounds for bacteria, making you more susceptible to gum disease and other painful conditions.
- Preemptive Orthodontic Care – Several orthodontic treatments, including braces, often require a wisdom tooth extraction to ensure the treatment is successful.
Not everyone will need a wisdom tooth extraction, and your dentist makes the decision based on the information they gather from your regular dental checkups, including X-ray images of your mouth and jaw. If you have questions about the wisdom tooth extraction process or want to know whether you may need one, don’t hesitate to contact our office.