Gum Disease & Wisdom Teeth

Most people do not have adequate jaw space to accommodate their third molars. As a result, wisdom teeth commonly do not erupt properly, or sometimes not at all, remaining trapped beneath the gums.
The traditional thinking behind the preemptive removal of wisdom teeth is built on the idea that early removal can prevent potential oral health issues later in life.
Many dental professionals believe that wisdom teeth, or third molars, crowd out other teeth as they grow, causing many dental problems, including dental crowding, impactions, and infections.
For most people, wisdom teeth start growing between the ages of 17 and 25 years old. That’s why dentists have traditionally recommended removing wisdom teeth during this period in a patient’s life. The thought is that if wisdom teeth are removed before they become a hazard, patients can avoid much pain and discomfort. Removing wisdom teeth becomes necessary when they cause issues, such as impaction, Infection, Cysts or tumors,over crowding, difficulty maintaining cleanliness, pain or discomfort.
One of the most important reasons for extracting wisdom teeth is to deal with an impacted wisdom tooth. An impacted tooth remains hidden beneath the gums without erupting. However, impacted teeth can still wreak havoc by pushing into adjacent teeth, soft tissues, and surrounding jaw bone. Impaction can cause several oral health issues, including dental crowding, malocclusion, and deep-tissue cysts.
While a wisdom tooth that has not erupted doesn’t necessarily indicate impaction, it is still important to get your mouth checked and to have x-rays regularly so your dentist can monitor the development of your wisdom teeth.
The wisdom and science on wisdom tooth removal are continually evolving. However, one important fact that has never changed is the necessity of seeing a dental professional if you suspect something is wrong. A dentist will be able to identify the source of your oral pain or discomfort, whether it is a wayward wisdom tooth or something else.
Furthermore, common dental checkup procedures, such as x-rays, can identify problems, such as an impacted tooth, before they wreak havoc on your mouth and your health. For any questions, you may call the office of Dr. Kimberly A. Rosen at (661)255-2545.