Most people develop their wisdom teeth between the ages of 17 and 21, and in most cases, dentists recommend seeing an oral surgeon to have those teeth promptly extracted. Wisdom teeth removal is recommended as a preventative step, even if they are not causing you any kind of pain or other symptoms.
While your wisdom teeth may not be causing you any problems right now, they can still cause plenty of trouble down the road. Having them removed early on is a good way to sidestep unnecessary dental pain, or the need for more complex procedures.
Why Do the Wisdom Teeth Cause Problems?
The wisdom teeth are the last teeth to emerge, and for most people, the jaw simply is not large enough to accommodate them. When these teeth lack sufficient space to erupt as normal, the wisdom teeth can become impacted. In other words, they remain either partly or completely covered by gum tissue.
Impacted wisdom teeth can cause a wide range of problems later in life, which is why dental providers typically recommend having them removed as early as possible.
What Happens if I Leave My Wisdom Teeth in Place?
Wisdom teeth that remain in place can contribute to any of the following problems:
Overcrowding
With nowhere to go, the wisdom teeth can often push your other healthy teeth out of the way. Over time, your teeth may begin to shift and overlap one another. If this happens after orthodontic treatment, it can effectively negate the effects of your braces.
Abscess and Infection
In other cases, the wisdom teeth may simply remain impacted. The problem with impacted teeth is that they are very difficult to keep clean, which means they significantly increase your risk of abscess and infection. This increased risk, in turn, increases your risk for gum disease and tooth decay.
Other Issues
Additionally, leaving your wisdom teeth in place may contribute to ongoing pain later in life. And in other cases, the wisdom teeth can lead to either fluid-filled sacs or even tumors developing along the gums.
These are just a few of the most common consequences of leaving your wisdom teeth in place. Having wisdom teeth removed earlier in life makes the procedure and the recovery go much more smoothly.
Schedule a Wisdom Tooth Extraction Appointment
Your wisdom teeth may not be causing you any discomfort or other symptoms, but that does not mean you will not experience symptoms later. The best way to avoid this altogether is by having your wisdom teeth removed proactively.
To schedule a consultation with The OMS Center of South Louisiana, we welcome you to contact our Covington, LA office today. Call us at (985) 687-1616.
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