Problems With Your Wisdom Teeth? How To Tell When It's Time To Have Them Removed
If you still have your wisdom teeth, you might think that you can hang onto them forever. However, that's not necessarily the case. In most cases, wisdom teeth need to be removed at some point. If you haven't talked to your dentist about having your wisdom teeth removed, now's the time to do that, especially if you're experiencing any dental problems. Read the list provided below. If you're experiencing any of the issues described here, it's time to talk to your doctor about having your wisdom teeth removed as soon as possible.
Your Wisdom Teeth Are Impacted
If you have enough space in your jaw for another set of molars, you shouldn't have any problems with your wisdom teeth. However, if you don't have enough room, you might be in for some serious problems. One of those problems involves impaction. Impaction occurs when your wisdom teeth get stuck under the surface of the gums and can't break through the skin. When that happens, you can develop small cysts in your jawbone. The best way to avoid that is to have your wisdom teeth removed before they become impacted.
You're Experiencing Jaw Pain
If your wisdom teeth are growing in but you don't have enough room for them, you might experience some severe jaw pain. This can happen for a number of reasons. First, the roots of your wisdom teeth can grow under the surrounding teeth, which causes pressure. Second, wisdom teeth may grow in a sideways path, straight into your other teeth. Finally, infections can develop around your wisdom teeth. Luckily, the pain will subside once you have your wisdom teeth removed.
You're Getting Plaque Buildup
If your wisdom teeth have grown in and they're crowding your surrounding teeth, you might have a hard time keeping up with your dental hygiene. In fact, you might find it difficult to floss properly. Not only that, but your dentist might not be able to get into the spaces to clean your teeth. Unfortunately, that means you might experience an increase in plaque buildup. If that happens, you're at an increased risk for cavities. To reduce plaque buildup and to protect your teeth, talk to your dentist about removing your wisdom teeth.
Your Other Teeth Are Shifting
Finally, if you've noticed that your teeth no longer fit properly or that they've shifted to the side, there could be a problem with your wisdom teeth. If your wisdom teeth don't fit properly, they'll make room by pushing the surrounding teeth out of the way. When that happens, you might notice that your front teeth start to overlap. Before that happens, have your wisdom teeth removed.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, talk to your dentist about wisdom teeth removal.
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