Wisdom teeth removal is a common dental practice that nearly 5 million people go through every year. Some people are born without wisdom teeth or with only one set of wisdom teeth, but many are born with a full set that need to come out. Not every wisdom tooth is destined for removal though. In fact, many patients are able to keep their wisdom teeth throughout their lives. It all depends on a patient’s oral health history and the architecture of his smile as to whether or not he is destined for oral surgery.
Do wisdom teeth have to be removed? Let’s do a little digging to find out.
Common Reasons For Wisdom Teeth Removal
There are several reasons why dentists recommend wisdom teeth removal, even if problems have not come up yet. The risks of keeping wisdom teeth include:
- Overcrowding Of The Mouth As The Wisdom Teeth Come In
- Risk Of Infection (About 10% Of Wisdom Teeth Get Infected)
- Dental Problems For Adjacent Teeth (Cavities, Enamel Erosion, Etc.)
- Teeth Shifting As The Teeth Grow In
- Pain From The Issues Mentioned Above, As Well As Pain While The Teeth Push Through The Gums
Your dentist may recommend having your wisdom teeth removed before they push through the gums so you won’t have to worry about overcrowding, infection pain, discomfort, and the like. Nevertheless, that does not mean that you personally have to go through wisdom teeth extraction. It all depends on the circumstances.
Reasons Why Wisdom Teeth Do NOT Need To Be Removed
If your wisdom teeth have grown in at a good angle and they are causing no pain or wearing to the teeth around them, you may not need to have them removed. There is still the risk of infection, teeth shifting, and other complications that may come up later on, but those will be noticeable during your dental exams every 6 months. As long as you get x-rays on a routine basis and communicate with your dentist, you can avoid wisdom teeth removal until it is absolutely necessary.
Do My Wisdom Teeth Have To Be Removed?
Every dental patient is a little different. Your oral health problems are not going to be the same as anyone else’s. In order to determine if wisdom teeth removal is right for you, talk to your dentist about the state of your smile and see what the pros and cons of keeping your wisdom teeth will be.
