If you're a teenager or young adult, you may be wondering if wisdom tooth extractions are in your future. Your Waterloo, ON, dentists, Drs. Saeid Jafarpour and Ralph Kreb of Eastbridge Dental Care can help you determine if the extractions are necessary.
5 reasons you may need your wisdom teeth removed
You may need wisdom tooth extractions if:
- Your teeth are impacted: Centuries ago, wisdom teeth made it possible to chew tough roots and tree bark. As diets changed over the years, human jawbones became smaller and offered less room for the teeth. As a result, many people noticed that their teeth became impacted (blocked by bone or tissue.) Impacted wisdom teeth will never erupt normally and must be removed during minor oral surgery. The teeth can cause mild to severe pain if they press against bones, nerves and gums.
- Your teeth have erupted but are decayed: Erupted wisdom teeth may be weaker than other teeth and more likely to become decayed. Decayed wisdom teeth can be extracted, or pulled, just like any other teeth.
- Your gums are swollen: Tender, swollen gums may be a problem if your impacted teeth constantly push against the tissues. In some cases, infections in your gums can happen.
- You have a cyst: A small, fluid-filled growth called a cyst may form around a wisdom tooth. If the cyst and the tooth aren't removed, damage to your jawbone, teeth or nerves may occur.
- The alignment of your teeth has changed: Constant pressure from impacted wisdom teeth can change the alignment of your teeth and cause bite problems. Bite problems occur when your upper and lower teeth don't fit together properly. Alignment issues can also affect the fit of bridges and crowns. If your teeth are finally straight after wearing braces for several years, removing impacted wisdom teeth can help you avoid a new orthodontic issue.
Wisdom tooth extraction ends your pain and helps keep your smile healthy. If you're concerned about your wisdom teeth, call your dentists in Waterloo, ON, Drs. Jafarpour and Krebs of Eastbridge Dental Care, at (519) 746-3435 to schedule an appointment.