When to Have Wisdom Tooth Removal

Tooth extraction isn’t generally that complex of a procedure unless we’re talking about wisdom tooth removal. While normal and even surgical extractions can be standard practice, having your wisdom teeth taken out can be a much more involved task for both you and your dentist, depending on the situation behind the removal. It is not always easy to tell if your wisdom teeth need to come out, so it’s a good idea to see your dentist regularly in case any problems arise. 

In this post, we are going to discuss when to have a wisdom tooth removal done, how removing wisdom teeth is different from other tooth extractions, and how the process works, including what to look out for and what to do before the procedure. We hope this gives you the information you need to talk with your dentist and make the right decision about your oral health. 

Reasons wisdom teeth may need to be removed

Wisdom teeth are an important part of our mouth and smile, but there are a number of reasons why they may need to be removed. If you have one of these conditions, the first thing to do is talk to your dentist about what options are available and if an extraction is necessary. 

Crowding and space issues

A common reason your wisdom teeth may need to come out is crowding in your mouth. If your teeth don’t have enough space around them, it can cause problems such as teeth shifting out of position and teeth pressing against one another, which can create cavities and tooth decay and even cause some teeth to fall out if lack of space is too severe. Removing the wisdom teeth creates extra space that allows all the other teeth to function normally. 

Infected teeth

Another reason your dentist may decide to remove one or more of your wisdom teeth is if there are signs of infection. Infection in a tooth usually occurs deep in the roots or at the gum line. If left untreated, it can spread to other parts of the mouth and other parts of the body and pose a major health risk, including heart problems and other difficulties. 

Unfortunately, even if only one tooth shows signs of infection, it may be necessary to remove other teeth to prevent the spread of the infection and protect the other teeth around the area of the initial infection. Your dentist will likely prescribe antibiotics on top of removing the wisdom tooth or teeth. 

Cracked or damaged teeth

If one or more of your wisdom teeth show signs of damage, cracking, or other decay, your dentist may decide that they need to come out. It can be difficult to treat a damaged wisdom tooth due to its position in the mouth, and depending on the severity of the damage, the more effective solution is often to remove the tooth. 

It is often better to remove wisdom teeth rather than try to treat them because they have less of an impact on the ability to eat, and having them removed is a common practice that many people have to go through at some point. 

Impacted wisdom teeth

One of the most dangerous situations to be in regarding your wisdom teeth is when they become impacted. An impacted tooth is essentially one that is buried beneath the surface of the gum. A tooth that does not fully erupt from the gum can cause a whole range of other problems, including some of the ones we’ve listed here like spacing issues, potential infection, damage, and more. 

In fact, if left untreated, an impacted wisdom tooth can damage the gums and the structure of the mouth, leading to much more invasive treatments. 

While a standard wisdom tooth extraction is already complex and requires sedation if the tooth is impacted, the process is even more complicated. The dentist will have to assess the position of the tooth or teeth and determine the best approach to removing them. This may even require cutting into the gum line to remove the tooth from its buried position. 

The more teeth that are impacted and the greater the impaction, the worse the situation gets, and the more immediate the dentist will need to act to prevent further problems. 

Contact your dentist today

If you've been suffering from tooth issues, then your wisdom teeth may be the issue. Even if you don’t think you need wisdom tooth removal, it’s a good idea to get checked regularly by your dentist to make sure nothing has changed. Learn more by reaching out to your dentist. 

Request an appointment here: https://riverfallsfamilydental.com or call River Falls Family Dental at (812) 962-7342 for an appointment in our New Albany office.

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