Removing Your Wisdom Teeth
At the time your dentist recommends removing your wisdom teeth you might wonder why it’s even necessary? Usually, it is recommended that you have your wisdom teeth removed before you experience any pain or discomfort from them. Extraction of 3rd molars (wisdom teeth) is a preventative measure for future medical issues they will likely cause. This post will look at four medical conditions you can avoid by removing your wisdom teeth. Then, you decide if it’s worth getting done.
Sinus Tooth Pain
Your sinuses are located very close (just above) your upper teeth. Any disproportionate growth of your top wisdom teeth can easily cause infection in the sinuses, resulting in pain and headaches. Ignoring sinus irritation can lead to acute or chronic Sinusitis which can cause blurred eyesight, loss of smell and taste, fever, and even chronic cough and congestion. (What Is Sinusitis?)
Jaw Damage
Sometimes cysts can develop around impacted wisdom teeth. These cysts called odontogenic or nonodontogenic, cysts can vary greatly in size and severity. These growths can be aggressive and grow, displace, or consume the surrounding bone, and tissue. Therefore, even though the cysts that form close to impacted wisdom teeth are not usually cancerous, your Maxillofacial surgeon will still have to remove the affected tissue and bone. Although this condition is rare, it’s just one of many good reasons to remove impacted wisdom teeth. (WebMD)
Gum Inflammation
Gum inflammation is a common sign of impacted wisdom teeth. If left untreated you can develop bleeding gums, and eventually periodontitis. Periodontitis (per-e-o-don-TIE-tis), also called gum disease, is a serious gum infection that damages the soft tissue and, without treatment, can destroy the bone that supports your teeth. Periodontitis can cause teeth to loosen or lead to tooth loss. If it gets to this point you can count on significant reconstruction and cosmetic dentistry that is both costly and painful.
Back tooth cavities
When wisdom teeth partially erupt or awkwardly break through the gum surface, they can make it difficult or impossible to keep them or teeth next to them clean. In this situation bacteria snowballs creating perfect conditions for tooth decay. It is rare that wisdom teeth come in with lots of room, aligned and do not affect other teeth. Overcrowding of other teeth is a much more common result when letting them come in naturally.
Erbsville Dental uses digital x-rays to accurately predict the path of new 3rd molars. According to the New York Times – Dr. Dr. Raymond P. White, “60 to 70 percent of patients with wisdom teeth will eventually have trouble with them”. Your Dentist Dr. Matthews will let you know months in advance whether you can expect to have alignment or overcrowding issues with your wisdom teeth.
If it is decided that your new wisdom teeth will become an issue you should get them removed at your earliest convenience. You can avoid sinus problems, jaw damage, gum inflammation or infection, unnecessary cavities and alignment issues. Dr. John McIntosh can remove wisdom teeth for you at Erbsville Dental in Waterloo. Their new surgical suite is equipped with everything needed for all sorts of oral surgeries. Make an appointment today and avoid problems tomorrow.
