Having a healthy smile means making sure you have all of your teeth. That said, not all of your teeth are necessary. Wisdom teeth, for instance, can grow in at odd angles, resulting in impaction and many dental health problems. That’s where Fort Bend Dental can help. A routine wisdom tooth extraction at our Missouri City, TX practice can improve dental wellness and overall comfort.
Let’s take a moment to cover all of the basics when it comes to wisdom teeth and your dental health. We’ll note the problems caused by impacted wisdom teeth and the ideal timing for the extraction surgery.
About Wisdom Teeth
Wisdom teeth are an additional set of molars that emerge during your early twenties. There are two sets of additional molars, in most cases—a pair on the upper arch, and a pair on the lower arch. These teeth are not necessary for regular biting and chewing, and many people have them removed.
What Does It Mean to Have Impacted Wisdom Teeth?
When wisdom teeth are impacted, that means that they do not grow in straight. The teeth can press up against the existing molars or into the jawbone, which results in discomfort and many other problems. If you have impacted wisdom teeth, it’s important that they be extracted.
Pain and Soreness
When wisdom teeth grow in crooked, they can lead to pain around the jaw, the ear, and the existing molars. This pain might be severe depending on the nature of the impaction, and will only get worse until the impaction is finally dealt with.
Fractured Teeth
Wisdom teeth may press so hard against your natural teeth that they cause cracks and fractures to develop over time. This weakening of the teeth can lead to serious health problems, such as broken teeth, tooth loss, and additional pain when biting and chewing.
Poor Oral Hygiene
With crowding around the back of the mouth, proper brushing and flossing may be more difficult. That means a greater risk of tooth decay and gum disease with your wisdom teeth in place. As time goes by, the molars will only get worse given the difficulty of proper cleaning.
Risk of Root Canal Infection
Poor oral hygiene plus potential fractures means a much greater risk of a root canal infection. A root canal infection will need to be treated through endodontic therapy, which helps save the tooth from extraction and prevents the further spread of bacteria.
Ideal Age to Extract Impacted Wisdom Teeth
The ideal age for wisdom tooth extraction is typically the early 20s or late teens. By that time, the wisdom teeth will begin to emerge, or at least be in a position that is accessible to dentists/oral surgeons. During dental visits in your mid-to-late teens, your dentist will take x-rays to monitor the progress of these wisdom teeth, planning an optimal time for the dental surgery.
Learn More About Your Dental Options
For more information about impacted wisdom teeth and how we can help improve your dental health, be sure to contact the team at Fort Bend Dental. Our team will provide you with all the fact about the procedure so you feel reassured throughout the treatment process.
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