What Do Wisdom Teeth Do, And Why They Often Get Extracted

What Do Wisdom Teeth Do, And Why They Often Get Extracted

Wisdom teeth gained their name because they are the last teeth to arrive in the mouth, so the person who has them is assumed to be older and wiser. The design of human teeth enables people to eat. Sharp teeth tear food, and the remainders grind it down for safe swallowing. Wisdom teeth are grinding teeth, and their location in the very back of the mouth was once useful for our ancestors who ate food that needed a lot more grinding.

Today, evolution has changed the size of the average mouth. Most people comfortably fit 28 teeth in their mouths, and they function quite comfortably with this number. When the last four teeth arrive to give people the complete set of 32 the individual often begins to suffer from dental overcrowding.

Problems Wisdom Teeth May Cause

As wisdom teeth begin to emerge, they can press against the rear molars and cause pressure and pain. Sometimes as the teeth come in, they will cause breakage of the neighboring teeth. If they do grow in fully without breaking the teeth near them, they may sit so close to the teeth that they prevent proper brushing and flossing. The pressure of the wisdom teeth pressing on other teeth can push those teeth out of alignment and cause overlapping and crooked smiles.

Wisdom teeth growth often causes nerve damage, infection, damage to the bone, and excessive pain. Sometimes the teeth will not push through the gums because of overcrowding, or only part of the tooth can emerge because the wisdom tooth was not aligned properly when it emerged. When the tooth fails to come through the gums at all or only partially emerges, it is considered impacted. Impacted wisdom teeth have a high risk of breaking, developing cavities, and will usually become infected. Debilitating pain in the mouth and jaw often occurs.

Reasons for Tooth Extraction

The removal of impacted wisdom teeth eliminates the pain and infection caused by the tooth. A periodontist may recommend a tooth extraction even when no pain or infection has begun. Dental x-rays may reveal the tooth is not aligned correctly or sits crooked under the gums. The patient may not have any room left in their mouth for the tooth. The tooth may also show signs of damage and is at risk of infection. Many reasons exist for why a periodontist would recommend wisdom tooth removal.

Benefits of Early Removal

People may struggle to understand why they would remove a tooth when it has not yet caused any pain or developed an infection. The benefits of early removal for a tooth identified as a potential future problem can save people money, time, and discomfort. An early removal has fewer complications than one that involves an infected broken tooth. Early removals also prevent scheduling issues. People can have the teeth removed in their teenage years before they move away to college or begin a full-time job.

When Wisdom Teeth Don't Have To Be Removed

According to a growing number of dental experts, not everyone needs to have their wisdom teeth removed. It is now believed it is potentially advantageous to leave the teeth if dental x-rays reveal they are not affecting any other healthy teeth in the mouth and do not show any sign of decay or damage. Even impacted teeth can remain if the patient has no cysts, infection, or pain. However, periodontists warn that removal is necessary when there is any history of abscesses, damage to nearby teeth, or other problems caused by the wisdom teeth.

A concern with leaving wisdom teeth is the higher risk for complications as people age. Healthy wisdom teeth could still develop problems. The location of wisdom teeth in the far back of the mouth makes it difficult for people to keep them as clean as the rest of their teeth, so the development of decay is likely. The bones in the jaw harden as people age, so tooth removal becomes more complicated. Possible complications from wisdom tooth removal surgery for older patients include mild loss of jaw movement, numbness in the mouth and jaw, bleeding, and damage to other teeth.

The patient always decides if they want to keep or remove their wisdom teeth, based on the recommendations of their periodontist. Pain, infection, and swelling are all clear signs of the need for removal, but freedom from these symptoms does not necessarily mean the teeth are healthy and viable. Get an expert opinion and make the choice that is best for your oral health.

About the Author

Dr. Marichia Attalla is a leading Nassau County Periodontist specializing in all aspects of periodontal care. Learn more by visiting her website at NassauCountyPeriodontist.com