When Should Wisdom Teeth Be Removed?
Wisdom teeth, which are the large molars located at the back of the mouth, are a frequent source of pain and irritation for many people. Although they provide some chewing ability, wisdom teeth can be safely removed without compromising overall dental function to any great degree.
Other People Are Reading
-
Painful Wisdom Teeth
-
Wisdom teeth are normally removed when they become painful or cause inflammation to the surrounding soft tissues and gums, which frequently happens. Pain is usually the main reason requiring wisdom teeth to be removed.
Impacted Wisdom Teeth
-
Impacted wisdom teeth fail to fully cut through the gum line and get stuck, or impacted, in the jaw bone, often at odd angles where they can cause pain, infection and/or problems with chewing.
-
Decayed Wisdom Teeth
-
Wisdom teeth because of their location are often hard to adequately brush and keep clean, making them especially susceptible to tooth decay. When wisdom teeth become decayed, they are normally removed as opposed to filled as continued decaying of the wisdom teeth is likely.
Overcrowded Wisdom Teeth
-
Depending on a person's jaw size and mouth shape, wisdom teeth can crowd neighboring teeth, which can cause pain and/or damage to surrounding teeth.
Painful Jaw/Neck
-
In many instances, wisdom teeth, especially impacted and/or diseased wisdom teeth, can cause significant jaw and/or neck pain, and in rare instances, even cause headaches.
-
