FAQs about when it’s a wise choice to remove wisdom teeth
Brighton Park Dental makes every effort to preserve natural teeth. Drs. Aroon Pal, Nilay Patel, and Taylor Jemilo work with patients from across the greater southwest Chicago, Illinois, area to avoid the damage that then leads to the need for extractions, or the removal of teeth. There is one exception to this rule: wisdom teeth!
What is the problem with wisdom teeth?
Wisdom teeth are called this because of their “late arrival” in your mouth. They are the last teeth to develop. Known as “third molars,” they usually try to break through the gums in your teens or mid-20s, during a stage of life that is largely associated with the transition from childhood and the “gaining of wisdom.” By this time, though, there is typically not enough room in the mouth for them. In turn, they tend to grow at the wrong angles. When this happens, it can lead to all sorts of distressing symptoms and complications.
What are some signs that there is something wrong with my wisdom teeth?
When these molars become trapped in the jaw, it is a condition known as “impaction.” Impacted wisdom teeth are associated with:
- Persistent jaw pain
- A bad taste in your mouth
- Bad breath
- Red, swollen, bleeding, and painful gums
- Difficulty opening your mouth
- Swelling around the jaw
These symptoms will not go away on their own, and without treatment, you may be at risk of other complications.
What happens if I don’t treat an impacted tooth?
The affected tooth will push up against the neighboring teeth. As this happens, impacted teeth can damage other teeth. The damage may be so severe that orthodontic treatment is later needed to correct it. Impacted wisdom teeth are also vulnerable to cysts, which can damage the jawbone and nerves. Since these teeth are so hard to clean, they are at risk of cavities and a painful gum condition called pericoronitis.
How do you treat wisdom teeth?
Like your appendix or tailbone, wisdom teeth are not essential for your health and function. It’s generally advised to monitor these teeth during your routine visits to Brighton Park Dental. If they are causing pain or other problems, extraction will be recommended. Our extraction procedures are comfortable. We use gentle techniques and relaxing sedation (as needed) to ensure your comfort during every step. We also work with you afterward to support healing. It is important to follow all instructions provided by our team in Chicago. Eating the right foods and avoiding certain behaviors (such as the use of straws) promotes healing and reduces the risk of complications like dry socket, which occurs when a blood clot is dislodged from the extraction site post-surgery.
With regular exams at our office, wisdom teeth do not have to be a painful milestone in your life. If they are not developing normally, we can recommend steps to prevent damage, instead of waiting to react to it after you are in pain and are forced to do something about it.
If it’s been longer than six months since you last saw a dentist, we welcome your call at (773) 801-5171 today.
