Wisdom teeth are the third molars located in the very back of your mouth and are often the last permanent teeth to develop and erupt for most humans. It is possible to have less than 4 molars, more than 4, or none at all! Not everyone needs to get their wisdom teeth extracted, but according to the Canadian Dental Association, 85% of Canadians will need to have them removed at some point in their lives.
Wisdom teeth can remain in a person's mouth if they are:
- Healthy
- Grown in completely (fully erupted in the gum)
- Positioned correctly
- Able to be cleaned as part of daily hygiene practices
If your wisdom teeth do not meet all of those requirements, then your dentist may recommend surgically removing them so they do not cause pain or problems to your other teeth.
When Wisdom Teeth Are A Problem
In most cases, removal is necessary when the wisdom teeth begin to affect the surrounding teeth. This happens because they do not have space to grow. When space is scarce, the wisdom teeth start erupting at different angles and can even grow horizontally instead of vertically.
Some common problems with growing wisdom teeth include:
- They may only erupt partially through the gums making them difficult to see and clean. If they cannot be cleaned properly, the teeth will become a bed for bacteria and lead to serious oral health issues.
- Wisdom teeth can stay hidden in the gums, which can eventually cause them to become trapped within the jaw. This can lead to infection or abscess that damages the roots of the surrounding teeth and can erode bone support.
- The wisdom teeth can erupt fully but can cause crowding issues and damage otherwise healthy teeth near them.
Many dentists will recommend getting your wisdom teeth extracted before they even erupt from your gums to prevent any issues that could occur in the future. This will also ensure that your current teeth stay healthy, and you will not have to worry about the risk of any pain or discomfort associated with your wisdom teeth.
Dentists prefer wisdom teeth extraction on younger patients because they have faster recovery times and are less prone to infection than adults.
5 Reasons Why Wisdom Teeth Need To Be Removed
Using an x-ray, your dentist will confirm the position and growth of your wisdom teeth to determine if extraction is necessary. They will examine the shape of your mouth and the health of your other teeth to see if there is enough room for the wisdom teeth to erupt.
Here are some common reasons why patients get their wisdom teeth removed:
1. Pain And Sensitivity
A lot of patients first realize they may need their wisdom teeth removed because they begin feeling pain and discomfort in their gums or jaw. Like any dental problem, the pain or sensitivity can start small. If ignored, serious oral health problems can begin to occur, and your healthy teeth could start to move. Pay attention to where the pain is coming from; if the pain occurs when you are using the back of the mouth to chew, chances are your wisdom teeth have erupted.
2. Jaw Damage And Discomfort
Like all teeth, wisdom teeth form through the jaws and into the gums before they erupt. Sometimes, there is not enough space for the teeth to correctly erupt, which causes damage to the jawbones—impacting the mouth's motion and function. They can shift other teeth and even the jawline, which can result in extreme pain and discomfort when trying to open and close your mouth.
3. Damage To Neighbouring Teeth
Since your adult teeth are already positioned correctly and have been functioning well without the use of your wisdom teeth, the emergence of these teeth can cause your current teeth to shift—resulting in overcrowding. This can cause pain, tooth sensitivity, and bite problems, which can ruin the look of your smile and cause difficulties while cleaning your teeth. If you cannot clean your teeth correctly, you will be at a higher risk of having tooth decay or cavities. Furthermore, if treatment is delayed, you may have to undergo additional procedures to straighten the affected teeth once again.
4. Inflamed Gums
Oral health is not limited to just your teeth. Your gums are also affected by the growth of wisdom teeth and can be seriously damaged if they do not erupt properly. When wisdom teeth erupt at an angle, they can cause the gums to swell, making them sensitive and difficult to clean. If your gums become too difficult to clean, it could lead to an infection. This in turn could cause cavities and tooth decay, which results in even more extensive treatment.
5. Sinus Problems
Did you know that your wisdom teeth can affect your sinuses? Wisdom teeth in the upper back jaw are in close proximity to the sinuses located behind the nose. As your wisdom teeth start growing in, the roots can place pressure near the sinus area, resulting in severe headaches or sinus infections.
Contact Us Today!
At Marlborough Dental Center, your oral health and bright smile is our top priority. If you are wondering if you require wisdom teeth removal or your current wisdom teeth are causing you pain, contact us today! Our affordable dental solutions make getting the dental care and wisdom teeth removal surgery you need fit within your budget. To book your appointment at our NE Calgary Dental Clinic, contact our team by calling 403-248-2066 or by filling in our online contact form below.
FAQs
Q: At what age is it most common to get your wisdom teeth removed?
A: The timing for the removal of wisdom teeth depends on the patient’s age, root formation, and tooth position. As for age, the younger you can get your wisdom teeth removed the better; younger people can recover from surgery faster and are at less risk of infection. The most common ages to get wisdom teeth removed are between 16 to 22 years old.
Q: How long does it take to recover from wisdom teeth removal?
A: Most patients recover from surgery after 3 or 4 days. The wound left behind after surgery can take months to heal and you will still be prone to infections weeks after surgery. Taking extra care of your oral health and following your dentist’s care plans will help ensure a speedy, painless recovery.
Q: My wisdom teeth are not causing me pain, do I still need to get them removed?
A: Although your wisdom teeth may not be causing you pain, they can still be causing other problems to your surrounding teeth, gums, and jaw. Wisdom teeth are also difficult to keep clean; even if they erupt without causing problems, they could lead to infections and tooth decay if not cleaned properly and regularly.
