What are wisdom teeth?
Wisdom teeth are the final set of three sets of molars to erupt, usually between the ages of 17 and 21. Typically, there are two wisdom teeth on each side, one on the top and one on the bottom.
When these wisdom teeth develop normally, they help improve the ability to chew and add strength to your bite. When wisdom teeth to don’t develop normally, they may get trapped in the gum or jawbone, causing a condition called impaction.
Impacted wisdom teeth can cause pain, increase risk for infection, and alter the arrangement of your other teeth. If you have impacted wisdom teeth, they may need to be removed.
Why do my wisdom teeth need to be removed?
Your dentist may choose to remove one or more of your wisdom teeth if your wisdom teeth are impacted, or causing increased risk to your oral health.
You may need to undergo oral surgery and have your wisdom teeth extracted if:
- They aren’t in the correct position to grow in properly
- Their position increases the chance for food to be trapped
- They crowd other teeth and affect proper alignment
- They cause inflammation or infection in gums or jaw
- Impaction has caused a cyst to form
The dental professionals at Wall St Dental Spa are experienced and skilled at diagnosis and treatment of impacted wisdom teeth, as well as identifying future problems that may arise if your wisdom teeth are not removed.
What are the symptoms of wisdom tooth impaction?
You may not experience symptoms of impacted wisdom teeth. However, the position and projected movement of your wisdom teeth can be seen on X-ray during regular dental exams. In some cases, your dentist may suggest you have your wisdom teeth removed before you show signs of problems.
If your impacted wisdom teeth become infected or are actively causing damage to your oral health, you may have symptoms such as:
- Tenderness of gums
- Redness or bleeding of the gums
- Pain or swelling of the jaw
- Bad breath or unpleasant taste in your mouth
- Pain when opening mouth
If you have these symptoms, it’s important your wisdom teeth be evaluated. If extraction is needed, the team at Wall St Dental Spa helps your experience be as comfortable and relaxing as possible.
For an evaluation of your wisdom teeth, call or book an appointment online with Wall St Dental Spa.
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