To extract or not to extract ? That is the question
Wisdom teeth can be troublesome when they are attempting to push through your gums. There are some common reasons why the extraction of said teeth is recommended. Below is a list of some of these reasons:
Decay
The main cause of decay is bacteria in the mouth converting sugars into acid thus attacking the teeth. Wisdom teeth can be particularly prone to this.
Infected gums
If a wisdom tooth has penetrated through the gum, by food and bacteria accumulating under the gum, local infection can occur. This type of infection can lead to foul breath, pain, swelling and leading to much more severe and frequent infection.
Pain caused by pressure
As the wisdom teeth attempt to exit the jaw and push through the gum they may exert pressure on other teeth, causing pain, discomfort and possibly eroding of the other teeth.
Orthodontic
A younger patient may be having orthodontic treatment for teeth straightening. As wisdom teeth are attempting to push their way through the gum they can cause teeth alignment and position to change and this situation is undesirable to the orthodontic procedure.
Prosthetic
As a wisdom tooth attempts to push through the gum it will almost certainly change the gums shape, therefore denture wearers will experience problems should the wisdom teeth not be removed.
Formation of cysts
If a wisdom tooth becomes impacted the formation of cysts is possible. These can cause the destruction of bone and the displacement of other teeth. A worse case scenario is that tumors can develop from cysts and cause serious problems with the jaw.
Why Extract Impacted Wisdom Teeth If They Have Not Been Troublesome ?
If not extracted, impacted wisdom teeth are certain to give trouble. Despite their formation over several years, pain and discomfort may occur in an instant.
Is There A Good Time To Have Wisdom Teeth Extracted?
Dentists advise that removal of wisdom teeth, troublesome or not, should be between 14 and 22 years of age. The reasoning behind this is that technically the surgery is easier and younger patients tend to recover quicker. As we age healing tends to take longer and complications are more likely.
Should I Have Wisdom Teeth Extracted Before Foreign Travel?
If at a high risk age where impacted wisdom teeth could give sudden trouble then yes. You may find yourself in extreme pain in a remote area with no modern dental facilities.
If I Have An Infection Should A Wisdom Tooth Be Extracted?
An infection should be brought under control and eliminated before a wisdom tooth extraction, so the answer to this is generally no.
