Wisdom teeth (often called third molars) are the last teeth to erupt, often in the late teenage or young adult years (ages 17-25). While we don’t need wisdom teeth, some people have plenty of room in their mouths for them. However, studies show that about 80% of people have their wisdom teeth removed by age 25. It’s helpful to know when removal is beneficial.
To find out if your wisdom teeth should be extracted, schedule a dental evaluation with Adam Cottrill, DMD, at Nashville Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry in Nashville, Tennessee.
Wisdom teeth are molars that erupt in the back of your mouth. There are usually four wisdom teeth, though some people develop fewer than four or none at all.
Sometimes, third molars grow in without any issues. Other times, they become painful, crowd or move other teeth, grow under another tooth, or erupt sideways. Because we don’t need wisdom teeth, many people have them removed when (or before) complications arise.
Dr. Cottrill determines if you’re a candidate for wisdom tooth extraction, but here are five signs to watch for indicating that wisdom teeth removal may be in your future:
If your wisdom teeth are painful, or if they haven’t yet erupted but you develop pain in the back of your mouth, the third molars may need to be removed. In fact, anytime you develop discomfort, you should see Dr. Cottrill for an evaluation. It could be the sign of an impacted tooth, gum disease, tooth decay, or an infection.
When not removed, wisdom teeth can contribute to gum disease, which over time may lead to jawbone loss, receding gums, and loose (eventually missing) permanent teeth. Signs of gum disease around your molars include bright red gums, bleeding gums, swollen gums, a receding gum line, gum tenderness, and pus.
Do you have a third molar that’s erupting crooked or sideways? This is an indicator of a tooth that should be extracted to avoid dental complications — including difficulty keeping your teeth clean, pain, damage to surrounding teeth, food becoming trapped, or an infection.
If a wisdom tooth doesn’t have room to grow or doesn’t erupt properly, you might experience damage to nearby teeth. An impacted tooth could cause an adjacent tooth to shift, loosen, decay, crack, break, or become infected. When not removed, an impacted wisdom tooth can push against a nearby tooth, causing pain and damage to its root or enamel.
A dentigerous cyst is a fluid-filled sac that sometimes forms around an unerupted, impacted wisdom tooth. It shows up on dental X-rays and can cause damage to nearby teeth and the surrounding jawbone when left untreated. Symptoms of a dentigerous cyst include gaps in your teeth, tooth shifting, gum swelling, and tooth sensitivity.
The best way to avoid complications caused by wisdom teeth is to see your dentist regularly (at least every six months) for dental cleanings and an exam. Report any signs of dental damage or pain to Nashville Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry right away. Dr. Cottrill lets you know if you’re a candidate for extraction because of current problems or the potential for future complications.
Schedule a dental evaluation with Dr. Cottrill at Nashville Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry by phone or online today.
