Why Do Wisdom Teeth Need to Be Extracted?

At Iqaluit Dental Clinic, we believe it can be a good idea to remove your wisdom teeth in order to prevent oral problems in the future. In fact, removing wisdom teeth via oral surgery has become a common practice and many dentists recommend it as well. Still, if your wisdom teeth don’t cause pain or any other dental problems, you might be apprehensive to remove them.

Let’s look at a few reasons why it can be helpful to remove wisdom teeth:

1. They can cause teeth overcrowding – The human mouth has limited space, and the emergence of wisdom teeth can cause overcrowding. When wisdom teeth try to push their way into an already crowded space, they can cause other teeth to shift or move. As a result, it can lead to the misalignment of teeth.

Teeth misalignment can cause crooked teeth, overbites, and underbites. Additionally, it can cause problems with speaking and chewing and negatively affect your appearance. Removing the wisdom teeth can prevent these problems from occurring and maintain proper teeth alignment.

2. It is a good preventive measure – Removing wisdom teeth is often recommended as a preventive measure to avoid future problems. Even if the wisdom teeth are not causing any immediate problems, they can still cause problems in the future.

The process of wisdom teeth extraction is easier and less complicated when the patient is young, and the roots of the teeth have not fully developed. In fact, it becomes harder to remove your wisdom teeth as you grow older since the bones in your mouth get harder. Therefore, removing wisdom teeth as a preventive measure can avoid future complications.

3. It can lead to impaction – Impaction is a common problem with wisdom teeth. Impacted wisdom teeth are those that are unable to emerge fully or emerge in the wrong direction. This can cause pain, swelling, and infection. If left untreated, impacted wisdom teeth can lead to more severe problems such as cysts, tumours, and damage to nearby teeth. Removing impacted wisdom teeth can prevent these problems from occurring.

There are three types of impacted wisdom teeth:

• Mesial impaction – The wisdom tooth is angled towards the front of the mouth.

• Vertical impaction – The wisdom tooth is angled straight, but it is unable to emerge fully.

• Horizontal impaction – The wisdom tooth is angled towards the back of the mouth.

During the surgery, the dentist will make an incision in the gum tissue, remove the bone covering the impacted tooth, and extract the tooth. After the surgery, the patient may experience some pain, swelling, and bleeding, which can be managed with pain medications and ice packs.

4. Wisdom teeth can cause jaw problems -Wisdom teeth can also cause problems with the jaw. The emergence of wisdom teeth can cause pressure on the surrounding teeth and the jawbone, leading to jaw pain and stiffness. This can also lead to problems such as temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ) and other jaw-related issues.

TMJ is a condition that affects the joint connecting the jawbone to the skull, causing pain, stiffness, and clicking or popping sounds in the jaw. The presence of wisdom teeth can increase the risk of developing TMJ disorder.

The wisdom teeth can cause TMJ disorder in several ways. First, the presence of wisdom teeth can cause the other teeth to shift, leading to misalignment of the jawbone. This misalignment can put extra stress on the TMJ, leading to inflammation and pain.

Second, the pressure from the wisdom teeth can cause the jawbone to shift, leading to an uneven bite and increased pressure on the TMJ. Lastly, the process of removing wisdom teeth can also cause TMJ disorder if not done correctly.

5. They can cause gum diseases – Wisdom teeth can cause gum diseases, such as gingivitis and periodontitis, by promoting the growth of bacteria in the mouth. When the wisdom teeth emerge, they can create small spaces between the teeth and gums, which can trap food particles and bacteria. This can cause inflammation of the gums, leading to gingivitis. If left untreated, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis, a more severe gum disease that can cause damage to the teeth, gums, and bones.

Removing wisdom teeth can prevent gum diseases by eliminating the spaces between the teeth and gums where bacteria can grow. Additionally, removing wisdom teeth can make it easier to clean the teeth and gums properly, reducing the risk of gum diseases

6. They can cause infections inside the mouth – Wisdom teeth can also cause infections inside the mouth, which can be painful and lead to serious complications. When wisdom teeth emerge, they can create small pockets in the gums where food particles and bacteria can accumulate. This can lead to the development of an infection known as pericoronitis, which is an inflammation of the gums surrounding the wisdom teeth. Pericoronitis can cause symptoms such as pain, swelling, redness, and difficulty opening the mouth.

If left untreated, pericoronitis can progress to an abscess, which is a pus-filled sac that can cause severe pain and swelling. The infection can also spread to other parts of the body, leading to serious complications such as sepsis, a potentially life-threatening condition.

Removing wisdom teeth can prevent infections inside the mouth by eliminating the pockets where food particles and bacteria can accumulate. Additionally, removing wisdom teeth can reduce the risk of developing an abscess and prevent the spread of infection to other parts of the body.

7. Removing wisdom teeth can reduce the risk of sinus issues – Wisdom teeth located in the upper jaw are close to the sinuses. The emergence of these teeth can cause pressure on the sinuses, leading to problems such as sinusitis and other sinus-related issues. Removing wisdom teeth can reduce the risk of these problems and improve overall sinus health.

At Iqaluit Dental Clinic, we suggest you consult your dentist and get regular dental check-ups to monitor the growth and development of your wisdom teeth. Early detection of problems related to wisdom teeth can prevent dental complications and make the process of wisdom teeth extraction easier and less complicated. Remember, good oral hygiene and regular dental check-ups are essential for maintaining good oral health.