Your wisdom teeth are supposed to make you smarter, right? Unfortunately, that’s not true, but wouldn’t it be nice if it was? The real reason they’re called wisdom teeth is because they typically appear later in life, when you’ve already had a little bit of real-world experience. In fact, these often-annoying back molars originally served a very useful purpose: to replace teeth that were worn down over time by ancient man’s diet.
Today, however, thanks to modern cooking preparations wisdom teeth are not only unnecessary, but they can also be dangerous to your other teeth and gums. If yours are causing you pain, here are a few common reasons why, and why it may be time to have them extracted.
They’re Erupting
You may not really remember what it feels like to cut teeth, but there’s a reason babies get so cranky when they’re teething. Your wisdom tooth pain could be caused by them pushing through your gums as they erupt. If this is the case, this discomfort should only be temporary, but in the meantime it’s a good idea to have them checked out by your dentist to see if any intervention is needed, such as extraction. While in some cases they may be okay to stay put, removal may be recommended if your dentist believes they could pose a risk to your other teeth or gums.
They’re Impacted
Impacted wisdom teeth are teeth which grow sideways. Their roots then push into their neighboring molars, causing pain, pressure, and if left in place, can eventually break those nearby teeth. If this happens, your dentist will recommend extraction to both alleviate the pain and protect their neighbors.
They’ve Got Cavities
Because they are so far back in your mouth, your wisdom teeth may be difficult to reach with your toothbrush and dental floss. This can leave them susceptible to an increased risk of cavities due to improper cleaning. This of course can cause pain, and rather than deal with repeated fillings and tooth infections, your dentist may advise you to have them removed.
They’re Causing Gum Disease
Gum disease is one of the most common illnesses in the world. In fact, about 90 percent of all humans have some stage of gum disease. Proper brushing and flossing can reduce your risk of developing this condition, however if you cannot reach your wisdom teeth to floss them, it can leave you vulnerable to it. If your dentist notices they are causing issues like gum inflammation or infection, extraction can prevent it from worsening so you’re not at risk of losing healthy teeth and gum tissue.
While there are many reasons why your wisdom teeth could be hurting, none of them are necessary. If you are experiencing any sort of pain from them, your dentist will likely recommend you have them removed. This will help clear up any oral health problems and prevent them from causing more unnecessary damage.
About Dr. Prach
Dr. Erin M. Prach loves seeing firsthand how her care can help make a positive impact on her patient’s lives. Whether they can’t stop grinning after a cosmetic treatment or are finally experiencing relief following wisdom tooth extraction, she knows that excellent oral health is a powerful thing.
To schedule an appointment for wisdom tooth extraction, please visit our website or call us today at 307-337-4770.