While adulthood is generally considered to reach us at the age of 18, there is one right of passage that remains for some of us. 50% of all dental patients will experience the growth of wisdom teeth, and in many cases, it’s necessary for them to be removed to avoid impacting the health of the patient’s other teeth. While some patients will have sufficient space in their mouths for their wisdom teeth to grow in, this is uncommon. If you’re wondering if you’ll have to have your wisdom teeth removed, this simple guide should help shed some light on the subject.

Will I Have To Have My Wisdom Teeth Removed?

Almost every patient who develops wisdom teeth needs to have them removed. If your dentist concludes that you have wisdom teeth waiting to erupt, it’s almost certain that you will need to have yours removed. These teeth are vestigial in nature, meaning that they are an evolutionary throwback to when the human diet involved uncooked grains, tough roots, and other food sources that were hard to chew. Most people no longer have sufficient room in their mouths for them to grow in, and this can lead to a complication known as impaction. Without sufficient room to grow in, they can cause other teeth to crack, chip, or move out of position. In serious cases, damage to the jaw and soft tissues can occur, and problems can occur in the TMJ or temporomandibular joint.

What Problems Can Wisdom Teeth Cause?

The concerns mentioned above are just the beginning of the potential difficulties caused by unmanaged issues involving wisdom teeth. This can include the appearance of infections, tumors, and cysts, just to name a few. Partial eruption of a wisdom tooth is a common cause of abscesses, for instance. Getting your impacted wisdom teeth treated is critical to your long-term dental and whole-body health.

How Will I Know If I Have Wisdom Teeth Concerns?

Oral pain and discomfort can be an indicator of multiple types of issues, especially when it’s felt in your jaws or teeth. While wisdom teeth have been known to appear without any accompanying discomfort, pain your jaw, especially near the rear of your jaw, is a common indicator. If you feel a strange pressure in your mouth, gums that are oddly puffy, or have teeth that appear to be shifting out of position, it could be because of Wisdom Teeth.

If you think that you have concerns that indicate problems with impacted wisdom teeth, give our offices at 3D Dentistry a call. We’ll schedule you an appointment with Dr. Victor Bustos for a full dental exam and consultation. During your exam, you’ll undergo imaging to help the dentist get a full understanding of your current state and determine if wisdom teeth are a concern you face. From there, you’ll receive a consultation to determine the best next steps for your dental health. Don’t let untreated wisdom teeth create lasting concerns with your oral health, call us today!