These third molars are well known for causing problems in the mouth. Over time, humans have
had less of a need for wisdom teeth and so our jaws have compensated for this. Unfortunately,
many people still have wisdom teeth even though they’re not needed.

Does everyone need to get their wisdom teeth out eventually? The answer may surprise you!

When Wisdom Teeth Are Impacted

Wisdom teeth will need to come out when they are impacted. Impacted wisdom teeth happen
when there’s no room for the teeth to properly erupt into your mouth. These wisdom teeth
end up pushing on the neighboring teeth, therefore forcing all of the teeth out of position if
they’re left to grow.

Another problem with impacted wisdom teeth is that sometimes due to their skewed position
in the mouth, they can’t erupt through the gumline all the way. They effectively get stuck.
These teeth become almost impossible to brush and can cause pain and infections. When
wisdom teeth are impacted, they’ll most likely need to be removed.

No Problems, No Extraction

Not everyone will need to have their wisdom teeth removed. If your jaw is large enough to
accommodate all of your wisdom teeth and they begin erupting with no problems, there’s
really no reason to remove your wisdom teeth. If you’re not having any symptoms and an x-ray
shows the teeth are in healthy positions, your dentist likely won’t recommend an extraction.

Although the majority of people do end up having their wisdom teeth removed, there is a small
percentage of people who can keep their wisdom teeth without any problems. A professional
and experienced dentist can help you know what your options are when your wisdom teeth
begin to come in.

How to Tell if an Extraction Is Necessary

There are a couple ways to tell if wisdom tooth extraction is necessary. The first is getting
dental x-rays around the time that your wisdom teeth will be coming in. Your dentist can look
at the x-rays and tell whether or not your wisdom teeth are impacted. X-rays can show your
wisdom teeth even when they’re not visible in your mouth.

If you’re having any symptoms of impacted wisdom teeth, it’s time to see your dentist for an
evaluation. Signs and symptoms of wisdom teeth that may need to be removed include jaw
pain or swelling, bleeding or swollen gums around the site, headaches, or a bad taste in your
mouth. All of these could be indicative of an infection or a problem with your wisdom teeth.

Although not everyone will need to have their wisdom teeth out, you should never ignore
wisdom tooth pain. If you haven’t seen the dentist in a while and your wisdom teeth are
coming in, it’s time to get x-rays. Getting your wisdom teeth extracted before they cause
problems with your other teeth is best. If your wisdom teeth are healthy, your dentist can
advise you how to best take care of them for life!

The post Does Everyone Have to Get Their Wisdom Teeth Removed Eventually? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

An Infection from a Partially Erupted Wisdom Tooth

If your wisdom teeth haven’t fully erupted, this means they’re stuck halfway between your gums and your jaw. This is a dangerous position to be in, as this area is difficult to keep clean. Debris from food and plaque can accumulate and cause an infection. This condition is called perisoronitis.

Some of the symptoms of perisoronitis may include swelling around the area, problems moving your jaw, even a fever and bleeding from your mouth can be indicative of a problem. If you have a bad taste in your mouth, this could mean an infection is present. Fortunately, your dentist can remove the debris, properly clean the area, and talk with you about what your options are moving forward. You should never ignore perisoronitis or any infection as it could get worse and affect your entire body via the bloodstream.

Impacted Wisdom Teeth

Impacted wisdom teeth occur when there’s essentially no room for these third molars to come in. They rest below your gumline and usually aren’t visible. These impacted molars can cause pain and overcrowding in your mouth. If impacted wisdom teeth are left to push your other teeth together and crowd them, this can make it much more difficult to clean your teeth and could lead to tooth decay or an infection. Impacted wisdom teeth don’t always have symptoms. This is why getting regular checkups with your dentist is so important. If you haven’t had your wisdom teeth out but are seeing your teeth shift or have jaw pain or swelling, see your dentist. Impacted wisdom teeth can also lead to perisoronitis!

Surgical Site Complications from Extracted Wisdom Teeth

If you’re one of the many people that’s had their wisdom teeth extracted, caring for your mouth after the surgery is essential. Most people heal from these surgeries as expected, but a small percentage of people will experience what’s called “dry socket”, where the blood clots that protects your surgical sites are no longer there.

If you experience worsening pain after your wisdom tooth extraction, call your dentist immediately. Reactions or infections after removal are rare but still seek help if something doesn’t feel right or you have any questions. Never put treatment off!

Wisdom teeth can cause problems so be aware of the symptoms. If you suspect you have an infection, are having symptoms of impacted wisdom teeth, or are experiencing pain after your extraction surgery, it’s imperative that you contact your dentist. He or she can evaluate your wisdom teeth and treat your smile!

The post Wisdom Teeth Emergencies: When Should You Seek Help? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.