Wisdom Teeth Woes: 3 Reasons You’d Need Them Extracted

Your third molars are the last teeth to come in, often erupting in your late teens to your early twenties. However, these structures often cause a whole lot of trouble for smiles. Many people choose to get them removed to find relief or avoid problems, but what cases call for a wisdom teeth extraction? Here are three reasons why you’d need this treatment to benefit your oral health.

1.)  Your Wisdom Teeth Are Impacted

For some patients, their third molars erupt without a hitch, but just as many have them come in impacted. They don’t fully emerge past the gumline, either not doing so completely or only partially. That’s because there isn’t enough room, but this comes with many complications, such as discomfort and swelling. To help get relief, you can remove your wisdom teeth.

2.)  You’re At Risk of Overcrowding or Bite Problems

Building off the point above, a few people may not have space for their third molars in their jaw. These structures may come in at the wrong angle and push against their neighbors. The pressure that gets put on them can actually cause shifting and lead to misalignment and bite problems. Instead, by extracting your wisdom teeth, you can keep your smile in check and keep your alignment from getting worse.

3.)  You May Be More Prone to Cavities or Infection

When third molars partially erupt or cause movement, this can create new nooks and crannies in your mouth. You may have trouble clearing out these gum pockets or moving your toothbrush where it needs to be. Combine it with discomfort that often follows wisdom teeth, and you might stop cleaning back there in your mouth altogether!

By having spots you can’t reach, bacteria can build up over time. They can turn into hardened plaque that attack your teeth and gums, causing dental problems like decay or gum disease.

Thankfully, everything above can be avoided by having your third molars removed. While not everyone needs to have this treatment, it can save many big headaches later on. Simply talk to your dentist to learn more about whether they will be an issue later or if they are going to start stirring the pot soon. That way, you feel confident getting the service you need to have a comfortable smile that you feel your best in.

About the Practice

At Bear Creek Family Dentistry, you benefit from a compassionate team of dentists and specialists. We are happy to help the DFW communities get the problem-free grins they deserve with a wide range of services, such as wisdom teeth removal. By offering sedation and using state-of-the-art instruments, you enjoy an easier treatment that helps you feel better in the end. If you want to know if removing your third molars is best for you, schedule an appointment or call any of our 13 locations closest to you.