With age comes wisdom, and in some cases, wisdom teeth. Wisdom teeth are the back molars that start erupting between the ages of 17 and 25. Known as “vestigial organs,” wisdom teeth were once much more useful than they are now. In early man, they served as backup teeth for when the original molars became worn down over time. Today, however, with modern inventions such as utensils and a variety of cooking methods, wisdom teeth don’t really have much of a purpose. In fact, they often do much more harm than good.
If your dentist has recommended removing your wisdom teeth and you’re wondering if you really should, here are a few important reasons to consider.
Oral Health Dangers
Wisdom teeth may seem harmless, but the truth is that they can cause a litany of oral health problems if they’re left intact. Even otherwise healthy wisdom teeth can be more prone to buildup and decay simply because they are located so far back in the mouth. This can make cleaning them a challenge.
Unfortunately, however, for many people those pesky back molars are often a bigger problem than simply a cleaning struggle. They can cause:
- Damage to surrounding teeth
- Crowding
- Cysts
- Jaw damage
- Sinus pain or pressure
- Inflamed gums / gum disease
How Will My Dentist Know If I Need My Wisdom Teeth Removed?
While you may still not have any of these problems yet, with the help of X-rays, your dentist will be able to anticipate if your wisdom teeth will someday become an issue. Warning signs of wisdom tooth woes include:
- Gum pain caused by partial eruption
- Crowding
- Crooked growth
- The appearance of cysts
- Your bite feeling different or “off”
If any of these conditions are present, your dentist may recommend wisdom tooth removal.
Can I Keep My Wisdom Teeth?
While in some cases (if they are healthy, they have plenty of room, and are growing in evenly), keeping your wisdom teeth is fine. If your dentist recommends removal, you will likely save yourself a lot of time, money, and frustration by having them pulled.
There’s no need to be anxious or stressed out about wisdom tooth removal. This procedure is quite common, and while you may be apprehensive about removing them, the benefits of having them pulled far outweigh any temporary discomfort you could experience following their extraction.
About Our Practice
At D&G Dental of West Orange, we’re committed to providing state-of-the-art dental care in a calming, professional environment. Our team of locally based community-friendly dentists and staff are happy to help with everything from late and emergency appointments to cosmetic procedures, general dentistry, and in-house tooth extraction.
To schedule an appointment for wisdom tooth removal or for any other oral health issues, please visit our website or call us at 973-419-6906.