Wisdom teeth grow in much later than permanent teeth, often between 16-25 years. That means there isn’t much room left in the mouth for them. This causes the wisdom teeth to become impacted in the gums and bone. Bacteria traps start to form leading to infections. Bone loss at the back of the mouth can also occur from wisdom teeth coming in, causing damage to the molars as well.

There are times when it isn’t necessary to remove wisdom teeth, but these cases are rare. Usually leaving the wisdomteeth in brings on serious complications which we’ll explore in this article.

IMPACTED WISDOM TEETH

Impacted wisdom teeth are trapped below the gum line. It’s a painful situation that makes it difficult to eat. Impaction also causes decay, abscess or infection, and other problems to your currently healthy teeth.

OVERCROWDING

Our mouths are just too small for third molars to grow in problem-free. That’s why you’ll often hear the term “overcrowding” when talking about wisdom teeth. Your teeth will start to shift and overlap each other. This is very painful and usually results in a less attractive smile and more orthodontic care.

SIGNS THEY’RE READY TO BE REMOVED

Each patient is different, but we can usually expect to have our wisdom teeth removed by our mid-twenties. It’s important though, for each patient to be evaluated individually. Signs you should be aware of when considering wisdom teeth removal include:

  • DIFFICULTY EATING. Some people don’t feel any pain when their wisdom teeth start growing, instead, they get a general awkwardness in their mouths. It becomes difficult to eat, a discomfort that’s caused by movement under your gums as your wisdom teeth start developing. Food is also probably getting stuck between your teeth or under your gums; brushing your teeth often doesn’t help, not only is the food difficult to reach but the feel of the toothbrush against your sensitive gums makes it too painful to continue trying.
  • PAIN OR SENSITIVITY. It often starts with a slight sensitivity to hot or cold drinks. Then a general discomfort sets in. Certain foods or brushing your teeth trigger additional pain. If you’re feeling sore in this area, the dentist will probably want to see an x-ray to confirm the presence of wisdom teeth and where they are in their formation.
  • SINUS ISSUES. When the roots of the wisdom tooth start growing in on the upper jaw, they can rub your sinuses or put excess pressure on them. You’ll feel congested with headaches but no other cold or flu-like symptoms.

Your dentist understands the importance of timing when it comes to removing your wisdom teeth; he/she is likely already monitoring their development. In most cases, it’s better to remove them early on, before the roots have had a chance to form. This greatly reduces the risk of complications and leads to a quicker recovery. Dentists at Tooth Harmony in Niagara Falls are the most expertly trained in the region. We evaluate the stages of your wisdom teeth as well as the positioning, to ensure the safe removal and a speedy recovery.