Wisdom teeth are an evolutionary reminder about a time humans used to eat rat plants and meats. They are the last set of molars to show up, typically erupting around the ages of 17-25. Wisdom teeth tend to be more problematic than others. They are more likely to crowd other teeth or develop issues, like tooth decay.
Since removing wisdom teeth does not negatively affect a person's dental health, dentists often decide to extract them before they lead to any complications. Wisdom teeth can be impacted when they are unable to break through the jaw. Dentists recommend removing impacted wisdom teeth early on since waiting could lead to complications after surgery, like loss of jaw mobility and heavy breathing.
Teeth do not always come out like they are supposed to. They can crowd other teeth in the mouth or erupt at odd angles. At times, there simply is not enough space left on the person's jaw to accommodate wisdom teeth.
Dentists will typically extract a wisdom tooth that is developing poorly since it is not necessary for chewing or speaking.
When a wisdom tooth hurts badly, that might be a sign it needs to be extracted. There are many reasons why a wisdom tooth might be causing pain. For example, tooth decay can lead to the formation of cavities on a wisdom tooth and that can lead to toothaches, especially when direct contact is made with the tooth.
A person might also experience a toothache because a wisdom tooth has been infected. Dentists typically do not perform root canals on wisdom teeth since extraction is a viable option.
Regardless of the cause of the pain, it typically goes away when the tooth is extracted.
This is related to a point made earlier. When a wisdom tooth hurts any time direct contact is made with it, eating can become quite the ordeal. It is best to seek the services of a dentist at that point. If the dentist cannot find an easy solution to the issue, then the tooth may be extracted.
A pimple or bump next to a wisdom tooth can be a sign of an infection. Oral infections require quick treatment since it can spread to other areas, like the brain and heart. Root canals are typically the first line of treatment for an infected tooth, but dentists often recommend them if the affected tooth is one of the wisdom teeth.
An extraction is a cheaper alternative to a root canal, and it prevents the wisdom tooth from leading to other complications down the road.
While wisdom teeth removal sometimes requires oral surgery, it is a safe procedure, especially when done by a qualified dentist. Think you need a wisdom tooth pulled? Stop by our Tucson office for some advice.
Request an appointment here: https://www.simplysmilesdentist.com or call Simply Smiles Dentistry at (520) 368-3351 for an appointment in our Tucson office.
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