This is a question I am often asked when I recommend wisdom tooth extractions: “why do I need to have my wisdom teeth removed if they don’t bother me?” A great question. Below are a few good reasons:
First, what are wisdom teeth? Wisdom teeth are also called 3rd molars. We usually have 4 wisdom teeth. They begin to erupt around age 18, in the very back, on the right and left of the upper and lower jaws. Some people do not develop all 4 wisdom teeth and some people do not develop any at all.
Why do we even have wisdom teeth? Wisdom teeth can be useful IF there is enough room for them to FULLY erupt AND if they are in a position that they can be thoroughly brushed and flossed.
When a wisdom tooth is only partially erupted (not enough space for it to fully erupt), it is partially covered by gum tissue. It will become a food trap and almost impossible to keep clean. This will cause gum irritation and discomfort. It can also cause cavities and bone loss around the wisdom tooth AND the molar tooth next to it. I have seen many times when a patient does not have their wisdom teeth taken out in a timely manner and he or she ends up needing the wisdom tooth extracted AND the molar next to it extracted due to having huge cavities or extensive boneless on this neighbor tooth.
Sometimes, there is not enough room for a wisdom tooth to erupt at all. It is completely covered by gum tissue, and, sometimes bone. These teeth are called impacted wisdom teeth and can still cause problems. Impacted teeth are more prone to developing cysts around them, which can breakdown the surrounding bone. Also, impacted wisdom teeth can push on the molars next to them (the molars that we want to keep!) and cause these teeth to resorb, or breakdown. Again, I have seen many times when a patient does not have an impacted wisdom tooth extracted in a timely manner and he or she ends up needing the wisdom tooth AND the molar next to it extracted.
It is also very important to have your wisdom teeth removed when you are young (preferably before age 30). As we get older, the chance of complications with these extractions increases.
Schedule an appointment today with our doctors at Tempe Smile Design if you have any questions or concerns with your wisdom teeth!