Do Wisdom Teeth Always Have to be Removed?

A question we frequently get in our Tampa dental office is whether or not wisdom teeth have to be removed. While a fortunate few who get wisdom teeth have no problems, most people experience issues, which can become significant.  In these cases, wisdom tooth removal is necessary to protect oral health.

Wisdom teeth are a third set of molars, which can emerge during the early adult years. While some people never get wisdom teeth, for those who do, they can be very problematic. There is usually not adequate space to accommodate them, so wisdom teeth are likely to cause pain and can disrupt the positioning of the existing molars. It is thought that wisdom teeth are an unwanted legacy harkening back to the days when extra teeth may have been necessary to manage the type of diet consumed by prehistoric man.

In many cases, the presence of wisdom teeth is identified during dental x-rays, which allows them to be closely monitored. Other times, wisdom teeth are discovered when painful issues develop. The primary issues that necessitate the removal of wisdom teeth include:

  • Full or partial impaction
  • Growing at an abnormal angle
  • Not enough room in mouth for additional teeth

There is an additional risk of cavities and gum problems brought on by the inability to reach them for daily brushing and flossing.

Impacted wisdom teeth occur when the wisdom teeth are blocked from growing in the mouth. Wisdom teeth can either fully impacted or partially impacted:

  • Fully impacted wisdom teethcan cause pain, gum tenderness, swelling in the jaw, headaches, or neck pain
  • Partially impacted wisdom teethmay also leave an opening for bacterial growth around the tooth, resulting in infection

It is important to understand that problems with wisdom teeth do not get better overtime. In fact, by putting off dealing with wisdom tooth pain, more serious issues can develop. The sooner wisdom tooth problems are addressed, the faster healing and recovery will be.

If you suspect you may have wisdom tooth problems, it is time to visit our Tampa dental office. Contact Weninger Dentistry today for an appointment.