If you have wisdom teeth that have not been removed, you may be wondering what happens if you leave them in. The truth is, leaving your wisdom teeth in can cause a number of issues ranging from crowding of other teeth to inflammation or infection of the gums. It is important to understand the risks associated with leaving your wisdom teeth in and the potential treatments if problems arise.Wisdom teeth are the third and final set of molars that most people get in their late teens or early twenties. These teeth are located at the back corners of your mouth on the top and bottom. They are also known as third molars. Wisdom teeth usually come in between the ages of 17 and 25, although they may appear later or not at all. People often have their wisdom teeth removed if there is not enough room in their mouth for them to come in properly, if they are causing pain or infection, or if they are difficult to keep clean.
What Are the Risks of Leaving Wisdom Teeth In?
Wisdom teeth are the last teeth to come in, usually appearing between the ages of 17 and 25. They are so named because they are thought to appear when a person is older and wiser. While some people have plenty of room in their mouth for wisdom teeth, others may not. When there is not enough room, wisdom teeth can cause problems and should be removed. Leaving wisdom teeth in can lead to a number of risks, both short-term and long-term.
Short-term risks include pain, infection, swelling, jaw stiffness, and damage to adjacent teeth. If a wisdom tooth becomes impacted or stuck in the jawbone or gum tissue, it can cause significant pain and discomfort as well as an increased risk for infection. The impacted tooth may also press against adjacent teeth causing them to become crooked or damaged.
Long-term risks include cysts or tumors that could form around the wisdom tooth if it remains in the jawbone or gum tissue. Cysts can cause severe damage to surrounding structures such as nerves, bone, and other teeth if left untreated for too long. In rare cases, tumors can even develop around an impacted tooth if left untreated for too long.
In addition to these risks, leaving wisdom teeth in can also cause crowding of other teeth which can lead to misalignment and difficulty with oral hygiene due to difficulty brushing and flossing around the impacted tooth properly. All of these issues can have an overall impact on oral health over time if left untreated.
For these reasons, it is important for individuals with wisdom teeth that are impacted or not enough room in their mouth to have them removed by a qualified dentist or oral surgeon as soon as possible. Doing so will help reduce the risk of any potential short-term or long-term complications associated with leaving them in place.
Benefits of Removing Wisdom Teeth
Removing wisdom teeth can provide many benefits, including improved oral health, better overall comfort and quality of life, and a reduced risk of infection or disease. Wisdom teeth removal can also help to reduce overcrowding in the mouth, allowing for a better smile. Having wisdom teeth removed can also help to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. In addition, removing wisdom teeth can help to reduce pain associated with impacted or misaligned wisdom teeth.
Having your wisdom teeth removed is a relatively simple procedure that is done under local anesthetic. The procedure takes only a few minutes and recovery time is usually quick. After the procedure, most patients experience minimal pain and swelling, which is easily managed with over-the-counter pain medications.
Removing wisdom teeth can also help to improve the overall appearance of your mouth and smile. Many people experience overcrowding in their mouths due to the presence of their wisdom teeth. This overcrowding can cause misalignment of other teeth as well as cause gaps between them which can be unsightly. Removing these extra teeth allows for better alignment of other teeth resulting in an improved smile.
Finally, having your wisdom teeth removed may reduce the risk of infection or disease caused by impacted or misaligned wisdom teeth. When wisdom teeth are left in place they may become impacted or grow at an angle instead of straight out from the gum line. Impacted or misaligned wisdom teeth may cause damage to surrounding tissue and become infected more easily due to their inability to properly cleanse with regular brushing and flossing habits.
In summary, removing your wisdom teeth can provide many benefits including improved oral health, better overall comfort and quality of life, reduced risk for infection or disease caused by impacted or misaligned wisdom teeth, improved appearance of your mouth and smile due to less crowding, and minimal post-operative pain and swelling that is easily managed with over-the-counter medications.
Identifying Symptoms
Wisdom teeth removal is sometimes necessary when the teeth become impacted, cause pain, or create other dental problems. Symptoms that may indicate your wisdom teeth need to be removed include pain or tenderness in the area, swelling in the gums around the wisdom tooth, difficulty opening your mouth, headaches or jaw pain, and bad breath. If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s important to schedule an appointment with your dentist to have them evaluated.
X-rays
Your dentist can use X-rays to determine if your wisdom teeth need to be removed. The X-ray will show the exact position of the wisdom teeth and if they are impacted or not. Your dentist can also check for signs of decay or infection from overcrowding caused by the wisdom teeth. If your dentist finds any of these issues, they will likely recommend removing the wisdom teeth.
Preventive Care
It’s important to practice preventive care with regular dental visits and brushing and flossing twice a day. This can help keep your mouth healthy and reduce any discomfort from wisdom tooth pain. It’s especially important to see a dentist if you experience any symptoms that could indicate a need for wisdom tooth removal. Early detection and treatment can help prevent more serious issues from developing later on.
How Is a Wisdom Tooth Extraction Performed?
Wisdom tooth extraction is performed by an oral surgeon or a dentist in their office. Before the extraction, the doctor will review the patient’s medical history and do a physical exam of the area to be treated. The patient may receive local anesthesia to numb the area, or general anesthesia to put them asleep before the procedure begins.
The dentist will then use a dental drill or forceps to remove the tooth from its socket. Depending on how difficult it is to remove, they may have to cut away some of the bone tissue that is surrounding it. The dentist may also need to cut away gum tissue and stitch it back together afterwards.
Once the extraction is complete, the patient may need a few days of rest before returning to normal activities. During this time, they should keep their mouth clean and follow any instructions given by their doctor for taking pain medications and keeping their mouth clean with salt water rinses.
It’s important for patients who are having wisdom teeth removed to follow all instructions given by their dentist or oral surgeon, as this will help ensure a successful recovery and reduce any risk of complications after surgery.
What Should I Expect After Having My Wisdom Teeth Removed?
After having your wisdom teeth removed, you should expect some amount of pain and discomfort. You may experience swelling in the area where the tooth was removed, as well as some bleeding. It is also normal to experience some bruising and discoloration around the site of the extraction. You should also expect to have difficulty opening your mouth widely for a few days after surgery.
Additionally, you may have a bad taste in your mouth due to small pieces of food or debris that can get stuck in the extraction site. To help reduce these symptoms, it is important to maintain good oral hygiene and follow any instructions given by your dentist or oral surgeon. Your dentist may also recommend taking over-the-counter pain medications as needed or using an ice pack on your face to help reduce any swelling or pain.
It is important to follow any post-operative instructions given by your dentist or oral surgeon after having your wisdom teeth removed. This includes not drinking through a straw, avoiding smoking or other activities that cause suction in the mouth, and not eating hard foods such as chips or nuts for at least two weeks after surgery. It is also important to maintain good oral hygiene during this time; gently brushing and flossing can help keep the area clean and reduce any chance of infection.
It is normal to experience some degree of pain and discomfort after having wisdom teeth removed. However, if symptoms become worse or persist for more than a few days, contact your dentist right away as this may be a sign of infection.
What Are the Complications of Not Having Your Wisdom Teeth Removed?
Leaving your wisdom teeth in place can lead to a number of complications. If your wisdom teeth are impacted, they can cause overcrowding of the other teeth, leading to misalignment and shifting of the surrounding teeth. This may lead to difficulties when cleaning or brushing, leading to an increased risk for decay and gum disease. Additionally, impacted wisdom teeth can become infected and lead to pain and swelling in the area. If left untreated, the infection can spread to other areas of the mouth or even into the bloodstream. In some cases, cysts or tumors may form around impacted wisdom teeth, damaging surrounding tissue and potentially leading to nerve damage or jawbone deterioration.
Due to these potential complications, it is important to have your wisdom teeth evaluated by a dentist on a regular basis. If any signs of infection are present, prompt removal is recommended in order to avoid further damage or complications.
Preparing for a Wisdom Tooth Extraction
Having your wisdom teeth removed can be a stressful experience, but there are steps you can take to make sure you’re as prepared as possible. Before your extraction, your dentist or oral surgeon will provide detailed instructions on what to do and expect. Here are some tips to help you prepare for a wisdom tooth extraction:
1. Have a clear understanding of the procedure. Talk to your dentist or oral surgeon about the procedure and why it needs to be done. Ask questions if anything is unclear. Make sure you have all the information you need to feel comfortable with the process.
2. Make arrangements for transportation after the procedure. You may need someone to drive you home after the procedure because of pain medication, so make sure you have those arrangements in place before going in for surgery.
3. Get any necessary prescriptions filled beforehand. If your oral surgeon has prescribed any medications that need to be taken before or after surgery, make sure they’re filled ahead of time so they’re available when needed.
4. Follow all pre-surgery instructions from your doctor or surgeon carefully. This may include avoiding certain foods and drinks before surgery, stopping certain medications, and not smoking several days prior to the procedure.
5. Arrange for someone else to help care for you during recovery if needed. Depending on how involved your extraction is, it might be a good idea to have someone stay with you afterwards and help with things like meals and laundry while you recover from surgery and adjust to taking pain medication if necessary.
By following these tips, you can help ensure that your wisdom tooth extraction goes as smoothly as possible with minimal stress and discomfort!
Conclusion
Leaving your wisdom teeth in is not always a bad choice and can be beneficial for some people. However, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons carefully and discuss the situation with your dentist or oral surgeon before making a decision. If leaving your wisdom teeth in is not an option, extraction is the best way to address any potential problems that may arise.
It’s important to remember that the risks associated with leaving your wisdom teeth in are much higher than those associated with extraction. Complications such as infection, gum disease, and decay can all occur if you leave them in. Therefore, it’s important to always consult with a professional before opting to leave them in.
In conclusion, leaving your wisdom teeth in can be beneficial for some people while it carries more risks than having them removed. Ultimately, removal is still the best option if possible since it will help minimize long-term complications. But if you decide not to have them extracted, make sure you monitor your oral health closely for any signs of pain or infection.