Do you really need your wisdom teeth?

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The wisdom of pulling teeth.

There has been some debate over whether or not people need wisdom teeth and why some people have them while others don’t. Although there does not seem to be any specific need for wisdom teeth, at Coast Dental, we do not generally advise that you have your wisdom teeth removed unless it could harm other aspects of your oral health. If you are unsure whether you need your wisdom teeth removed, there are some simple indicators that you can look out for, before you contact a dentist.

What are wisdom teeth?

Wisdom teeth are the third set of molars at the very back of your mouth. They erupt between adolescence and the age of 25, as you come into adulthood.

Because they erupt so late many people question the relevance of wisdom teeth as they do not seem to serve a special purpose.
Some peoples’ wisdom teeth do not erupt at all! For the many people whose wisdom teeth do erupt, they may need to have the teeth extracted because of a number of issues.

Problems with wisdom teeth

Stuck or impacted wisdom teeth

These are wisdom teeth that start to erupt but cannot fully appear because there may not be enough space in your mouth. When this happens, the tooth may appear partially making it prone decay and infection or the tooth may force its way through, damaging the teeth around it and causing overcrowding in the mouth.
Your dentist may extract your wisdom teeth in order to protect your other teeth however some dentists perform preventative extractions where healthy molars are extracted to make way for wisdom teeth and avoid future complications.

Gum inflammation
When teeth erupt it is normal to feel some pain and experience a degree of inflammation. In some cases, the inflammation becomes chronic and an area of your gum remains swollen and sore. Aside from being very uncomfortable, the inflamed gum is hard to clean and can become infected with bacteria that can not only affect the wisdom tooth but all your teeth, gums and jaw bone.

Cysts

These can sometimes appear around new teeth. If untreated, cysts surrounding your erupting tooth may damage your jaw bone as well as the surrounding nerves.

Cavities

Like any other tooth, your wisdom teeth can get cavities. Wisdom teeth can sometimes even be more susceptible to cavities because it is harder to reach.

How are they removed?

Wisdom teeth are not extracted as simply or as easily as other teeth. Wisdom tooth removal is referred to as oral surgery and is not performed by all dentists. In fact, some may refer you an oral surgeon for the procedure.
The type of extraction will depend on your unique situation; why your wisdom teeth are being extracted and the structure of the teeth. This type of extraction should not be taken lightly and should only be performed by a qualified professional.

Wisdom tooth removal Morphett Vale

Coast Dental is a family friendly dental practice where your whole family can fortify their dental health.

If you are currently experiencing problems with your wisdom teeth, book an appointment at Coast Dental and let one of our experienced dentists address your concerns.  To book your appointment, contact us today.

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