3 Benefits of Removing Your Wisdom Teeth Before They Cause Problems

Time to get your wisdom teeth out

Wisdom teeth removal is a common dental procedure that many people need as they reach adulthood. While it can be tempting to delay extracting wisdom teeth, doing so can lead to a variety of issues. Wisdom tooth removal provides a range of benefits for your comfort and long-term oral health.

Do you need wisdom tooth removal?

Wisdom tooth removal is common, but not everyone needs it. Around 85% of people have wisdom tooth surgery during their lifetime, so you are very likely to require wisdom tooth removal if you’re approaching the age when they emerge.

Your wisdom teeth are the third set of molars in your upper and lower arches of teeth. They tend to emerge between the ages of 17 and 21, while your other permanent teeth will have emerged by the age of 13.

There are several reasons why you may need to have your wisdom teeth removed. There is rarely enough space for these teeth to emerge properly. This can lead to them pushing other teeth out of the way, resulting in alignment issues. Wisdom teeth can also impact your other teeth, emerging into them sideways and causing a range of problems.

If you’re experiencing tooth pain in the back of your mouth, it could be due to your wisdom teeth. Ideally, you’ll have kept up with regular dental visits, and your dentist will tell you in advance if they need to be removed based on X-rays. 

However, if you notice tooth pain, you should reach out to your dentist to find out whether your wisdom teeth could be the cause.

How Wisdom Teeth Removal Can Benefit You

You may want to avoid having your wisdom teeth removed as long as they are not causing pain or other issues, but removing your wisdom teeth before they become a problem has 3 key benefits:

1. Early removal is easier and less complicated.

Patients who are likely to experience issues with their wisdom teeth should have them removed sooner rather than later. This allows for a shorter and more straightforward procedure, improving your experience and reducing the risk of complications.

While your wisdom teeth are still developing, the roots and bone haven’t fully formed. This allows for easier extraction. As the teeth continue to develop, they can move into more difficult-to-access positions that may require sectioning the tooth for removal.

If you wait until an emerging wisdom tooth has impacted, the process can become much more complicated. The dentist will have to work around other teeth, and the wisdom tooth will likely be caught on other teeth or the surrounding bone.

A more simple removal is best for your comfort and health. It can also be more affordable, making it easier for you to pay for your dental care.

2. It ensures the rest of your teeth have enough space.

Wisdom teeth often cause issues with other teeth as well. They exert pressure that pushes teeth out of position, leading to a variety of misalignment and bite problems. Those issues can lead to wear on your teeth and an increased risk of tooth decay and gum disease.

If you wait until this has already happened to have your wisdom teeth removed, you will likely need additional treatment as well. Orthodontic treatment, such as braces or clear aligners, may be required to realign your teeth and prevent long-term issues.

When your wisdom teeth are removed before they start pushing on your other teeth, you can avoid these orthodontic issues.

3. You can eliminate the risk of serious infections.

If you leave improperly erupting wisdom teeth long enough, you may be at serious risk of infection. An infected wisdom tooth can cause severe pain and lead to the formation of an abscess. It may even affect nearby teeth as well.

When your wisdom tooth becomes impacted or only partially erupts, it creates pockets and crevices where bacteria can grow. You won’t be able to brush and floss these isolated areas effectively, so both tooth decay and gum disease can develop very quickly.

These gaps can be very deep, allowing bacteria to penetrate the gumline. Decay can continue out of sight until you find yourself with an infected tooth. You’ll still need wisdom tooth removal to handle the problem, but the process will be more complex, and there is a risk of the infection spreading as well.

Find Out Whether You Need Wisdom Tooth Removal

Not everyone needs to have their wisdom teeth removed, but opting for extraction as soon as you know it’s necessary can make the process easier and help ensure your long-term oral health. At the Tooth Doc, we can evaluate whether your wisdom teeth need to be removed and carry out the removal in a calm and relaxing environment. Schedule an appointment with your compassionate dentist in West Omaha today.