Show Your Teeth Some Respect

Are Wisdom Teeth Causing You Dental Issues? What To Know

21 May 2020 by April Myers

Most of the time, young adults have to deal with wisdom teeth during the final years of their education, thus the name. Wisdom teeth can also come in early and bother teenagers. Late emerging wisdom teeth can be a surprise for some adults that assumed they would never have any. While wisdom teeth don't always cause dental issues, many times they have to be removed. Read on to find out what you need to know about wisdom teeth. 

Wisdom Teeth Issues That Call for Treatment

The vast majority of cases that send people to the dentist fall into the below categories:

1. Discomfort and Pain – It's been a minute since most people had to cope with teething problems. Wisdom teeth are molars, which means they can be large. As they begin to emerge, the gums can become tender, painful, and swollen. Pain is often the first sign of an emerging molar.
2. Impactions – In some cases, wisdom teeth get stuck and refuse to move out of the gum area. When the tooth gets impacted, immediate surgery is called for to decrease the chances of damage to the gums.
3. Overcrowding – Your teeth have been in place for many years and can only shift so much to accommodate the emerging molars. Some people just don't have the space for the molars to come out. The pushing against other teeth is uncomfortable, but it can also cause teeth to become crooked and loose. Loose teeth invite decay.
4. Extended Openings – Wisdom teeth are not known for their speed as they emerge. That means your gums can be vulnerable to bacteria entering the openings for a long time. That can lead to minor problems like bad breath and major problems like gum diseases.
5. Decay – Your third molar might develop a cavity before you know it. Because of its size, the molar may rest too tightly against your other teeth, making it difficult to brush and floss around. Trapped food can lead to decay.

Wisdom Teeth Treatment

Not all wisdom teeth cause problems, and the dentist may decide to keep an eye on things rather than remove the tooth. In many cases, the tooth has to go, however. While wisdom tooth removal is considered surgery, it's minor surgery and can be performed under anesthesia. A tiny incision is made and the tooth is removed. Impacted wisdom teeth may cause more discomfort, but the treatment is the same for any molar that needs to come out. Talk to a dentist to learn more.