Wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, are the last teeth to erupt and can cause some serious complications if they do not emerge functionally.
You can continue reading our article so that you can learn who should have their wisdom teeth removed and how to understand whether they should be removed or not.
Does everyone need to have their wisdom teeth removed?
No, no. You should only have your wisdom teeth removed if they are causing problems. In fact, not everyone is born with wisdom teeth, which rules out a group of people from needing wisdom teeth extraction.
Only a dentist can determine whether you need an extraction procedure after a thorough examination, where he or she checks for existing and potential problems with your wisdom teeth.
In which cases should wisdom teeth be extracted?
Your wisdom teeth may need to be extracted in the following cases:
.If your wisdom teeth are stuck under your gums
.If your wisdom teeth only partially erupt from your gums
.If there is not enough space in your jaw to accommodate your wisdom teeth
Any of these scenarios can lead to oral health complications such as gum or jaw infections, pain, cysts, damage to other teeth and tooth decay.
On the other hand, you may not need to have your wisdom teeth extracted if
.Fully emerged and healthy
.They do not affect nearby teeth by overfilling your jaw
.They do not affect your ability to chew or speak
.If you can brush and floss without any problems.
How do you know whether your wisdom teeth should be extracted or not?
One reason why wisdom teeth are not extracted early is that they usually do not cause problems until it is too late. In other words, a wisdom tooth may not cause pain, infection or damage until the root of the wisdom tooth has set and the part of your jawbone where the tooth sits has become very dense.
If you wait until that point to have your wisdom teeth extracted, the surgery may be more invasive and recovery may be longer and more painful.
Therefore, the best way to determine if you need wisdom teeth extraction is to visit your dentist and get an evaluation. You should also look out for signs that your wisdom teeth are erupting, including the following:
.Tenderness in the back of your jaw when eating
.A feeling of pressure behind your jaw
.Pain around the molars
