Problems Caused By Wisdom Teeth

Your wisdom teeth are not necessary for the proper chewing and digestion of your food. In fact, the teeth, which don't usually appear until the late teens or early adulthood, can cause a number of problems. Here are a few concerns that are associated with wisdom teeth.

Shifting Teeth

Even though the other teeth in the mouth may initially be in a straight alignment, the presentation of the wisdom teeth can force them out of position. The wisdom teeth are in the back of the mouth.

As the teeth grow, they need room to erupt. In some cases, the oral cavity is too small for the wisdom teeth to erupt without placing pressure on adjacent molars. Since the teeth lie next to one another in the mouth, when pressure is placed on one tooth, the force is often relayed to adjacent teeth. This domino effect can gradually force multiple teeth out of proper alignment.

A wisdom tooth can place pressure on other teeth even if the wisdom tooth has not broken through the surface of the gums. In fact, some wisdom teeth may even grow laterally, causing a dental misalignment without ever erupting. In such a case, the dentist can review the positioning of the wisdom tooth below the gums using dental x-rays. If the tooth is positioned improperly or there is too little room for the tooth to erupt problem-free, the wisdom tooth can be surgically extracted. A simple extraction is impossible in these cases because the gum tissue will need to be cut to access the tooth. 

Inflamed Gums

The gums around a wisdom tooth may become inflamed. Even if the tooth has fully erupted, it may still be difficult to clean it properly because of its location in the very rear of the mouth.

If the tooth has only partially erupted, an area of the tooth may be covered by the gums. Since the tooth is only partially covered, the gums may trap debris between the tooth and the gingival tissues. As plaque and food particles build up in the area, the acids produced by the bacteria of the mouth can inflame the gums. 

In order to alleviate the inflammation, the area between the wisdom tooth and the gums must be kept clean or the wisdom tooth must be removed. Regular flossing and brushing are usually ineffective at keeping the pocketed gum tissue free of debris, so in many cases, the extraction of the wisdom tooth is the best option. 

If you have a wisdom tooth that is causing problems, schedule an appointment with a dentist in your area to learn more about wisdom tooth extractions.