Wisdom teeth, also called third molars, typically begin to appear in your late teens or early twenties. If you are in high school or college, your dentist or orthodontist might have told you that your wisdom teeth need to be surgically removed. But why? Won’t your wisdom teeth grow in like your other molars?
Reasons You Might Need to Get Your Wisdom Teeth Removed
Not everyone will need to have their wisdom teeth removed by an oral surgeon. But if your wisdom teeth are impacted or misaligned, allowing them to grow in could do a lot of damage to your smile.
Impacted Wisdom Teeth
Wisdom teeth that are impacted are trapped beneath the gums. You only have a certain amount of space in your mouth, and if your wisdom teeth are too crowded to grow in, they can’t fully push through your gums.
Partially erupted wisdom teeth can develop cavities or become infected. Even worse, a cyst or tumor could begin to form near the impacted tooth, which could seriously damage your jawbone.
Misaligned Wisdom Teeth
Misaligned wisdom teeth grow in sideways, pushing against the surrounding teeth. If you’ve paid for expensive orthodontic work such as braces, your wisdom teeth could ruin your beautifully straight teeth. Not to mention, you might experience a lot of pain as your teeth try to shift to accommodate the new teeth.
Why You Should Remove Wisdom Teeth Earlier Rather than Later
Removing your wisdom teeth as soon as possible prevents many of the above problems. If you wait until you are older, the bones in your mouth will be harder, making your teeth more difficult to remove. This can lead to a few problems, such as heavy bleeding or numbness.
Wisdom Teeth Removal from Athens Oral Surgery Center
If it’s time for your wisdom teeth to be removed, request an appointment today with Dr. Tomlinson at Athens Oral Surgery Center.