5 Dangers of Not Removing Your Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth are often considered “extra” or unnecessary teeth, but many patients wonder if they really need to be removed. After all, why go through an extraction if you don’t have to?  Unfortunately, however, just because you may not be experiencing any negative side effects yet (or that you’re aware of), doesn’t mean leaving them in place is a good idea. Here are some dangerous complications of not removing impacted wisdom teeth, and why there’s no need to be afraid of having them extracted!

Oral Health & Hygiene Problems

Because they’re in the back of your mouth, when wisdom teeth erupt it can be difficult to reach them with a toothbrush or dental floss. Unfortunately, this not only impacts things like your breath, but it also increases your risk of cavities and tooth decay. Removing your wisdom teeth will free up the space in the back of your arches so your mouth is easier to keep clean. It can also help protect the alignment of your smile and reduce the risk of dental crowding that could require orthodontic care.

Pericoronitis

Pericoronitis is the technical name for the inflammation of the gums that occurs when a tooth erupts. It typically begins when food or plaque gets trapped under that little piece of tissue over the tooth. It can cause bad breath and even lead to periodontal disease if not treated. Not to mention, it can be extremely uncomfortable.

Periodontal (Gum) Disease

Periodontal disease develops when harmful bacteria infiltrate the gums. This can happen because of untreated pericoronitis (as mentioned above) or by poor oral hygiene habits. Unfortunately, however, even if you are a diligent brusher and flosser, wisdom teeth can complicate oral hygiene because they’re harder to reach. This increases the risk of them becoming inflamed and developing excess buildup which can cause gum disease.  Worse yet, if left untreated, it can eventually cost you teeth and even portions of your jawbone!

Damage to Nearby Teeth

Wisdom teeth first appeared in early man to replace worn back molars. Because their diets consisted of raw meats, roots, and other tough foods, their teeth didn’t last long. By their mid to late teens, wisdom teeth were likely a welcome addition. However, early man had a much wider jaw and could easily accommodate those teeth so even if they didn’t necessarily need them, they didn’t cause the problems they do with modern man.

Conversely, because our jaws are much smaller, wisdom teeth often cause crowding or grow sideways, which can negatively impact nearby teeth. In fact, sometimes they can completely break healthy back molars below the surface, meaning you’ll need to have those removed, too!

Cysts

Finally, another risk of not removing your wisdom teeth is the development of cysts, which are fluid-filled sacs that form around the wisdom tooth. Although they are typically benign, they frequently push against nearby teeth, bones, and gums, and can cause many painful and serious complications.

Remember, while you may not be in a rush to remove your wisdom teeth because they don’t hurt yet or aren’t noticeably bothering you, the truth is that in many cases if left in place they can do a lot of painful damage. Thus, if your dentist recommends extraction, don’t put your beautiful smile at risk and remove your wisdom teeth so your mouth stays healthy and strong for a lifetime!

About Our Practice

At Waterbury Smiles, our trio of caring and compassionate dentists understands that most people probably don’t want to have their teeth extracted. The good news is that with wisdom tooth removal, the benefits are well worth it. If you’d like to schedule a wisdom tooth extraction, visit our website or call us today at 203-575-9097.