Despite their name, wisdom teeth are not always the smartest thing in your mouth. In fact, they can cause a whole host of problems, including overcrowding, pain and infection. These third molars, as they are known, are the last of the teeth to erupt in your mouth and are not necessary for proper function. If you were to keep your wisdom teeth, you would have a total of 32 teeth, rather than the normal 28 in your mouth. In most cases, these teeth do not erupt properly, or if they do, they push the surrounding teeth out of their way in order to have room in your mouth.
Infection From Wisdom Teeth
Wisdom teeth that are unable to fully erupt can become caught in between your gum and bone, causing them to lodge sideways or only partially erupt. The result is an opening in your mouth that is prone to trapping food particles and bacteria. If this happens, you could wind up with an infection in the gum tissue, causing even more problems in your mouth. If you begin to feel pain or have swelling, the impacted teeth will need to be removed and the area treated for the infection.
Overcrowding in Your Mouth
If upon evaluation of your mouth it is determined that there is not adequate room for wisdom teeth to grow, removal may be recommended. This is in an effort to avoid the misalignment of your surrounding teeth. If there is not enough room, the wisdom teeth may still partially erupt. As they are stuck in this half in, half out position, cysts and/or tumors can form, putting the integrity of your bone and gum tissue at risk. In these cases, the wisdom teeth are pulled in order to ensure the health of your oral cavity.
Examining Your Wisdom Teeth
Your wisdom teeth may not come in until your early 20's, but Dr. Frishkey will evaluate your mouth when you are still in your teenage years. Early detection of the structure of your mouth and how wisdom teeth will impact it can help to prevent serious dental health issues from occurring in the future. If removal of your wisdom teeth is suggested, the process is very routine. The surgery is performed on an outpatient basis with the form of anesthesia that is appropriate for your situation. Impacted wisdom teeth often require a stronger sedation as the gum tissue and/or bone may have to be cut in order to remove the impacted tooth.
Dr. Frishkey is an expert in wisdom teeth removals, working closely with dental professionals throughout the area to ensure the proper techniques are being performed on every patient. Impacted wisdom teeth are nothing to ignore as they can cause serious issues in your mouth down the road.
Start your oral health off right by seeking an evaluation by Dr. Frishkey before your wisdom teeth erupt to determine the best line of treatment for you. It is very rare that a patient is able to keep their wisdom teeth, but if your teeth are not causing any other problems in your mouth, you just might be one of the lucky ones. Call Dr. Frishkey today to get your wisdom teeth and the state of your oral health evaluated.
