Medically Reviewed by Evan Frisbee, DMD on July 30, 2021 Your dentist says you need to have your wisdom teeth taken out. But they don’t
hurt, you say, so why remove them? These days, oral surgery to remove wisdom teeth is a standard practice -- almost a rite of passage for young adults. It's not always necessary, though. Still, just because your wisdom teeth aren’t a source of pain doesn’t mean there’s nothing wrong. The
teeth could be stuck, or impacted. That means they can’t break through your jaw and into your mouth. Maybe your mouth is too small to make room for them, or the teeth could be growing at an angle to other teeth. They can damage the
tooth next door if they push up against it. Some dentists take out healthy molars to prevent problems later on. As you age, the bones in your mouth get harder. That makes your teeth tougher to remove. If you wait, you could have problems after surgery that
range from heavy bleeding and fractured teeth to severe numbness and minor loss of movement in your jaw. These troubles could last a few days or a lifetime. When wisdom teeth cause problems, or X-rays show they might down the line, they need to come out. Other good reasons to take them out include: Your dentist will look at the shape of your mouth and the position of your teeth to make a decision. Your age plays a role, too. Still not ready to part with your molars? You can ask your dentist to explain what they see with your teeth. In many cases, you can wait several months to see if things change before making your decision. But if you have pain or notice swelling or a bad odor near your back teeth,
it may be time for a second look.Preventive Efforts
When Is Removal Needed?
August 18, 2016
Wisdom teeth – despite the pleasant name, they can cause a whole lot of trouble! Wisdom teeth are the final set of “adult teeth” to emerge in your mouth. Also known as third molars, they tend to appear by the time you’re 25. Some people get them as early as age 17.
The problem is that by the time they arrive, the party is already full. These third molars are inessential to dental health, and they often cause problems as they emerge. They can typically be spotted on X-rays long before they break through the gums.
The following problems with wisdom teeth are very common:
They Can’t Fit into Your Mouth
Many experts believe these teeth were last in vogue around 100 million years ago, when prehistoric humans had much larger skulls. These days, many people simply don’t have room for their third molars, making them functionally useless.
They Become Impacted and Cause Pain
In a best case scenario, wisdom teeth will cause no disruption to the mouth. Some people don’t even get them, no matter how many years go by. The worst case is very different: The emerging teeth can become stuck in the jaw.
They Crowd Your Other Teeth
In youth, some people have “crowded” teeth. These come in at the wrong angle and generally require braces to correct. Just like your other teeth, third molars can come in at a radical angle. This can disturb other teeth and may loosen or damage them.
What Happens if You Don’t Get Your Wisdom Teeth Removed?
Wisdom teeth removal is not necessary for everyone. Some people will find these new teeth suit their mouth just fine. Others will never get them at all. Once you notice them, however, there’s a very high likelihood that they will cause you some trouble.
In fact, big problems can start before wisdom teeth are even visible.
In many cases, these teeth will only partially erupt from the gums. This makes them an easy target for a bacterial infection, pericoronitis. Some symptoms include:
- Swelling of gum tissue due to an accumulation of fluid
- An unexplained “bad taste” in the mouth
- Swelling of lymph nodes located around the throat
- Trouble opening or closing the mouth
In a typical pericoronitis infection, food or plaque gets caught under gum tissue damaged by the semi-erupted third molars. This creates the conditions for an infection which, if untreated, can cause serious health consequences. The infection may spread from the tooth to the jaw and cheek.
To make wisdom teeth removal as simple and comfortable as possible, it’s important to get it done before any infection takes place. Once an infection occurs, swift medical attention is needed.
Biscayne Dental & Facial Aesthetics
At Biscayne Dental & Facial Aesthetics in Miami, wisdom teeth removal is fast and easy. The Center has years of experience with quick, painless extraction of impacted third molars. Generally, the excess teeth can be removed in just one short session.
The secret to the process: Dr. Julio.
Dr. Julio E. Hernandez, D.M.D., is one of the leading dentists in South Florida. He offers more than two decades of experience in orthodontics, post-orthodontics, and cosmetic dentistry. An expert who blends art and science in crafting beautiful smiles, Dr. Julio shares his expertise on many television shows. In the Sunshine State and beyond, people trust Dr. Julio with their teeth!
Don’t wait until wisdom teeth cause trouble: Get them removed the easy way. To find out more, contact Biscayne Dental & Facial Aesthetics today.