Most people develop their wisdom teeth during their late teens or early adulthood. Wisdom teeth are also known as your back molars. They are the teeth that will get bigger after losing all the baby teeth. Most people have their wisdom teeth removed because complications could arise if they do not. But, some aren’t required to have their wisdom teeth removed since they grow in the same way as the rest of their teeth. If you suspect that wisdom teeth are beginning to grow, it is recommended to visit the dentist to find out what options you have and the best way to take the next step in removal. But What is the outcome if you don’t get rid of the wisdom teeth? What are they going to stay in?
What are Wisdom Teeth?
Wisdom teeth constitute the final teeth in the arch of teeth. The majority of patients have four of them, and usually emerge around the age of 18. However, the eruption process of wisdom teeth is usually complex. A lot of patients do not have enough room in their dental arches to allow the molars to emerge which is why they end up coming out in the wrong way (sometimes just partially) or aren’t able to come out completely (they are affected, meaning that they’re stuck inside the jawbone).
When do I need wisdom teeth removed?
If wisdom teeth cause issues or X-rays indicate they could be in the future, it is time to get them out. The other good reasons to take them out are:
- Damage to other teeth: The extra set of molars could force your other teeth around, causing pain in the mouth and bite issues.
- Jaw damage: Cysts can develop around new teeth. If not treated, they may cause jaw pain and harm nerves.
- Sinus Problems: Problems with wisdom teeth could cause sinus pressure, pain and congestion.
- Inflamed Gums: Tissue around the gums can get a lot bigger and be challenging to clean.
- Cavities: The swelling of gums can cause pockets between teeth, which aid in the growth of bacteria and cause cavities.
- Alignment: Impacted wisdom teeth can cause crowding problems and may even require treatment to straighten the teeth.
For a final decision, your dentist will assess the shape of your mouth and the positions of your teeth. Your age also plays a significant role.
Are you still not ready to give up your molars? Talk to your dentist about what you see with your teeth. You can often wait several weeks to see if the situation changes before making a decision. It may be worth taking a second look if you are experiencing pain, swelling, or a foul odor around your back teeth.
Wisdom Teeth Removed Process
A dentist can tell you whether or not it is necessary to have wisdom teeth removed. The process is simple; this procedure to remove wisdom teeth is not uncommon. We perform the procedure in a dental office. Then you are free to depart on the same day. We recommend taking some time off, if you can, to treat any discomfort or soreness while your gums heal. Itchy and painful gums are typical, but they will go away in several days if you take proper care. Cold compresses, pain medication, and avoiding food items that contain solids will ease. The majority of patients return to normal activities in less than one week.
Care after surgery of wisdom teeth removed
Your dentist will be able to talk to you about the best ways to take care of your mouth following having wisdom teeth removed. A few general guidelines include:
- If you are experiencing pain, take pain relief medication (and upon advice from your dentist).
- Use the gauze to stop bleeding. You can also follow other instructions given once the tooth has been extracted.
- Avoid excessively rinsing or sucking through a straw or spitting because these could cause the clot of a blot not to form or loosen.
- Put warm, salty water in your mouth. Should do this after eating and not later than 24 hours following surgery.
- Consume soft, easy-to-chew food to keep the area free of food particles over the coming days.
- Do not smoke for the first at least 48 hours following surgery.
- Beware of alcohol and physical activities.
How do I prevent wisdom teeth problems?
To avoid tooth decay or infection, Take extra care of wisdom teeth that haven’t completely erupted.
- Floss between your teeth and especially between your wisdom teeth and the teeth in front of them.
- Make sure your brush goes up to the back of your mouth when you brush.
- Rinse the area with a saline solution (salt dissolving into warm water) if you notice symptoms that suggest infection, including the appearance of redness, warmth, or tenderness within the area.
Wisdom Teeth Complications
Although getting rid of your wisdom teeth can appear like a hassle, it could become more difficult if you don’t address the problem. Here are a few issues that may occur if you do not get the wisdom teeth removed.
- Cysts: If the wisdom tooth does not pass through completely, this can cause an enlargement of the cyst. It can cause bone damage or gums, leading to more problems for your mouth.
- Infection: Wisdom teeth are only partially formed. The gum flap typically covers the teeth. This flap functions as a trap for debris and bacteria. Since the area is difficult to access using a toothbrush, this trap for dental plaque creates a painful infection known as “pericoronitis.” Pericoronitis is the most common cause of most feared third molar pain, and those who’ve experienced it have seen how fortunate they were to stop it.
- Damage to adjacent teeth: In some cases, due to the lack of space for wisdom teeth, they emerge horizontally, and the crown is aimed toward adjacent teeth. When the molars are trying to pop out in a straight line, they apply pressure on the second molars, which could cause damage to their structure.
- Crooked teeth: Another result of this force applied from wisdom teeth seeking to pop out is the misalignment of the front teeth.
- Impacted Wisdom Teeth: If wisdom teeth become impacted they can be trapped beneath the gum line. Wisdom teeth that are impacted can be extremely uncomfortable and could be susceptible to infection and abscess. Impactions can lead to decay and the resorption in healthy teeth. Sometimes when wisdom teeth are not properly monitored their growth can move in a parallel direction to the line of your jaw. They could also shift backwards and ultimately cause problems with closing and opening of your jaw.
Is it necessary to have wisdom teeth removed?
Do you need to get the wisdom teeth removed? It depends. Most people do not have any issues with their wisdom teeth and may even keep them. If your wisdom teeth grow fully and there’s space in your jaw, they might not cause any problems. However, many people do not have enough space within their jaws to accommodate wisdom teeth and typically see wisdom teeth that are not fully erupting or not coming in correctly. These could cause issues mentioned earlier, and that’s the reason it is so highly advised to have your wisdom teeth removed.
Wisdom teeth that are erupting up straight and aligned with your other teeth and do not cause discomfort or gum disease are likely to remain. But, even if your wisdom teeth erupt correctly, they are susceptible to a higher risk of decay and other problems due to their position far away from your mouth and are, therefore, more challenging to keep clean than the rest of your teeth.
If your wisdom teeth do not appear correctly, you need to have them removed. Even if your wisdom teeth do not come out, they may become impacted within the bone, causing problems. Your dentist will assess the condition of the wisdom teeth growing to determine whether they could cause issues and whether removal is needed.
What Happens If You Don’t Get My Wisdom Teeth Removed?
Wisdom teeth removal isn’t essential for all. Some individuals will find new teeth work for their mouth perfectly. Some will not get them in the first place. If you spot them, you have a significant probability that they’ll cause some problems for you.
Indeed, significant issues may begin before the time that wisdom teeth become apparent.
In many cases, teeth only partially emerge through the gums. This makes them a prime target for a bacterial infection, pericoronitis. There are several symptoms to consider:
- The gum tissue is swelling because of the accumulation of fluid.
- Unknown “bad tas” within the mouth.
- Lymph nodes are swelling in the throat.
- The difficulty with closing or opening the mouth.
In normal pericoronitis disease, food or plaque is sucked up within the gum tissue, which is affected by the semi-erupted 3rd molars. This can lead to an infection, which in the absence of treatment, can lead to severe health problems. The infection could be transmitted from the tooth to the cheek and jaw.
To remove wisdom teeth as painless and easy as possible, it’s essential to do it before any infection occurs. If an infection develops, it is imperative to seek medical attention immediately.
