The teeth primarily aid in chewing and speech production. These functions are necessary for our daily activities such that even the absence of one or more teeth can severely impact our quality of life. For instance, an individual missing their front teeth may have difficulty pronouncing certain words correctly. 

And someone who has lost molars (back teeth) may have trouble grinding their food properly, which can lead to indigestion problems. However, while most of our teeth play a major role in our life, there are some that can negatively impact our comfort and daily activities.

These sets of teeth are called wisdom teeth. Wisdom teeth are the third and final set of molars most people get in their late teens or early twenties. For some, these teeth come in without any problems. But for others, wisdom teeth can cause severe problems and may need to be extracted.

So, when is it necessary to remove wisdom teeth? Let’s take a look!

Is It Necessary to Remove Wisdom Teeth?

As mentioned earlier, some people never experience problems with their wisdom teeth. The teeth come in without any difficulties and don’t cause any discomfort. In fact, these individuals may not even be aware that they have wisdom teeth until they visit the dentist for a routine cleaning or x-ray. 

For other people, however, wisdom teeth can cause great pain and discomfort. The teeth may come in at an awkward angle, crowding the mouth and damaging other teeth. Additionally, wisdom teeth can also become impacted, meaning they’re trapped beneath the gum line and unable to erupt. This can cause infections, cysts, and tumors.

If you’re experiencing pain or discomfort from your wisdom teeth, it’s best to consult with a dentist or oral surgeon. They will be able to determine if removing your wisdom teeth is necessary.

Wisdom teeth removal is a fairly common procedure; most people recover quickly and without complications. The surgery is typically done under local anesthesia, meaning you’ll be awake during the procedure but won’t feel any pain. 

Why Are Wisdom Teeth Removed?

There are a few reasons why someone might need to have their wisdom teeth removed. If the wisdom teeth are growing in at an angle, they may push on the other teeth and cause pain or crowding. They may also be difficult to clean, which can lead to decay and infection. 

Wisdom teeth removal is often recommended to prevent these problems from occurring. Sometimes, the procedure is done to treat an existing problem, such as an infection. In other cases, the removal of wisdom teeth is preventative. 

This is often the case for people who have a family history of problems with their wisdom teeth. Therefore, removing the teeth before they cause any problems can save individuals a great deal of pain and discomfort.

However, sometimes, wisdom teeth can come in without causing any problems. But if they’re not positioned properly, they can still cause problems down the road and will need to be removed.

What Are the Side Effects of Not Removing Wisdom Teeth?

If your wisdom teeth come in without causing any problems and are positioned properly, you might be able to live comfortably with them without any side effects. However, for most individuals, if wisdom teeth are not removed, they can cause several problems. 

For one, they may crowd or damage other teeth, causing pain and making it difficult to clean the teeth properly. In addition, wisdom teeth that only partly erupt (known as impaction) can trap food and bacteria, leading to infection, gum disease, and tooth decay. 

Impacted wisdom teeth can also cause cysts (fluid-filled sacs) that damage the jawbone and nearby teeth. In rare cases, tumors can even develop around impacted wisdom teeth. And while these growths are usually benign, they can still cause damage to the surrounding teeth and bone.

So, while you might not need to have your wisdom teeth removed right away, it’s important to be aware of the potential risks associated with leaving them in. 

When To Remove Wisdom Teeth

When to remove wisdom teeth is a decision that should be made by you and your dentist or oral surgeon. Many dentists recommend the removal of wisdom teeth when they start to cause problems or when they are likely to start causing problems. 

However, other dentists believe that as long as the wisdom teeth are not causing any immediate problems, there is no rush to remove them. Ultimately, the decision to remove wisdom teeth should be based on your individual situation. 

Nevertheless, if you have any concerns about your wisdom teeth, it’s best to consult with an experienced dentist or oral as soon as possible!You can check out this dentist in Salem to get started.