Wisdom teeth are, in fact, the third molars located at the back of your mouth. They usually start to come in around 17-25 years old. Over time, they can develop impaction (where they grow sideways and end up blocking your cheek or jaw) or pericoronitis (a bacterial infection caused by food getting trapped inside).
Therefore, it is not a good decision to keep your wisdom teeth. It is better to get your wisdom teeth removed by consulting a dentist with a good amount of dental practice in Wichita Falls. There are many risks involved with wisdom teeth. Wisdom teeth not only cause pain and discomfort but also increase your chances of acquiring other medical problems.
Here are the main risks of keeping wisdom teeth.
- Infection
Since wisdom teeth are not essential to your oral health, they are often left out during the procedure of tooth extraction. For this reason, these teeth become a breeding ground for bacteria and start to grow irritants. It not only increases your chances of developing pericoronitis but also causes problems in nearby teeth and gums. You can face serious problems such as bleeding and swelling of the gums. Therefore, it is important to take necessary precautions to prevent tooth infection.
- Damage to second molars
If your wisdom teeth grow backward, it can damage the second molars. It is the most common dental problem that leads to jaw pain and infection. An impacted tooth can cause some damage to other teeth because of its proximity to them. Therefore, you should consult a dentist as soon as possible if you observe any tooth-related issues.
- Chipped, fractured, or broken jawbone
The jawbone contains layers of bones surrounded by blood vessels and nerves. Lack of space can cause your wisdom tooth to grow underneath your jawbone, which is known as the sutural interdental area. The bone can develop cracks and fractures due to the stress from an impacted tooth growing outwards and downwards on it overtime.
- Orthodontic issues
Apart from the dental issues, there are chances of orthodontic issues which can arise if wisdom teeth are left unattended. Orthodontic treatment is a huge procedure that involves removing wisdom teeth along with changing the position of jaws. It needs to be performed once every two to three years depending on your age, as you may need braces for life. Therefore, it is not a wise decision to keep your wisdom teeth as they will affect your life in the long run.
