Your wisdom teeth are your third set of molars at the back of your mouth. They’re your last set of teeth to come in, and most people get them sometime between the ages of 17-25. For some people, wisdom teeth align properly with the rest of their teeth and come in without any issues. For others, these molars can cause a range of dental problems.
Wisdom teeth are some of the most common teeth to get extracted, and it might make you wonder if wisdom tooth removal is always necessary. Walied Touni, DDS, MSD, and our team at Touni Orthodontics in Sunnyvale, California, are here to help. We specialize in wisdom tooth care, and this is a good place to start if you’re not sure you need your wisdom teeth removed.
Wisdom teeth are a set of four molars located at the back corners of your mouth. They are the last permanent teeth to emerge, and because they come in later than your other teeth, there’s often not enough room left in your mouth to accommodate them.
This lack of space can cause your wisdom teeth to become impacted, meaning they’re trapped beneath your gum line or they only partially emerge, which can lead to a variety of dental issues.
However, that doesn’t mean wisdom tooth removal is always necessary. If your wisdom teeth are healthy, fully erupted, positioned correctly, and don’t cause pain or complications, Dr. Touni might recommend keeping them.
Wisdom tooth removal isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution, and the decision to keep or remove your wisdom teeth should be based on a thorough evaluation by an experienced dentist like Dr. Touni.
While not everyone experiences issues with their wisdom teeth, it is common. Being aware of certain symptoms can help you identify if your wisdom teeth could be the problem so you can get the treatment that’s right for you. Watch for symptoms like:
One of the most common signs your wisdom teeth may need to be removed is pain in the back of your mouth. Pressure from your wisdom teeth pushing against adjacent teeth can be uncomfortable, and removing your wisdom teeth takes that pressure away.
Impacted or partially erupted wisdom teeth can create pockets where food particles and bacteria get trapped. If that happens, swelling, gum infection, or even abscesses can develop. In some cases, these infections can spread to surrounding tissues, causing more severe health issues.
If your mouth doesn’t have enough space to accommodate your wisdom teeth, they can push your other teeth out of alignment. This crowding can undo the effects of previous orthodontic work and cause misalignment in your bite, leading to further dental complications.
Impacted wisdom teeth can sometimes cause cysts or, in rare cases, tumors to grow in your jawbone. These growths can damage your surrounding teeth, jawbone, and nerves, necessitating surgical removal of your wisdom teeth.
If you have any of the above symptoms, schedule a wisdom tooth consultation to learn about your options. Dr. Touni and our team can also take X-rays to help determine if your wisdom teeth are likely to cause problems in the future.
Removing your wisdom teeth is a straightforward outpatient procedure and can be an effective solution for wisdom tooth discomfort. Plus, it can help you avoid oral health complications in the future.
Find out if wisdom tooth removal is the right move for you with a consultation at Touni Orthodontics. Book an appointment today by calling our office or scheduling online.
