Most people grow extra teeth called “wisdom teeth” behind their molars in the very back of their mouths around their teenage years or early adulthood. Though wisdom teeth don’t serve any special purpose now, they developed as replacement teeth for when our ancestors used to eat rough, uncooked vegetation that would wear their regular teeth away more quickly. Regardless of how they came to be, most of us need to remove our molars if they begin to pose a threat to our dental health.
Wisdom teeth extractions in Spanaway, WA are a very common procedure, but not everyone needs one. Some people don’t even grow wisdom teeth! Unless the wisdom teeth are impeding on the growth and development of your other teeth, jaws, or gums, they actually can just be left in the mouth. Only a dentist near you can give you definitive advice about whether or not to get your wisdom teeth taken out. However, there are signs that may indicate you need to see the dentist urgently for a wisdom tooth removal. These include:
- Throbbing pain at the back of the teeth
- Redness, tenderness, bleeding, or swelling at the back of the gums
- Visible signs of wisdom teeth pushing other teeth out of alignment
- Bad breath or cavities near the wisdom teeth
If you start to notice any of these symptoms, see your dentist as soon as possible. Otherwise, the wisdom teeth can move or crack other teeth and press down on nerves and bones. Over a long period of time, this could even result in gum and tissue damage, making the mouth vulnerable to infection and cysts.
What Are Impacted Wisdom Teeth?
When wisdom teeth don’t have enough space to erupt, they can get stuck below the line. This could occur because the wisdom teeth are growing in the wrong direction and become blocked by a tooth. They could also get stuck because there’s not enough space to come up. Either way, an impacted tooth could become a major problem if it gets in the way of another tooth or bone.
Since these types of wisdom can’t simply be pulled out, the dentist needs to surgically remove it by cutting into the gums and sewing them back up afterward. Some procedures may also require the dentist to crack the tooth into several pieces to get them all out if the tooth is too big. It’s also possible for a tooth to be partially impacted. In this case, surgery would still be needed.
Can My Dentist Remove Wisdom Teeth?
Most general or family dentists will be able to remove wisdom teeth. They can identify and diagnose whether an extraction is needed with x-rays, which allow them to see below the surface of the gumline. X-rays also help the dentist see how far the wisdom teeth extend and estimate what steps would need to be taken to remove the teeth.
If you think you need to get a wisdom tooth extraction in Spanaway, WA; contact us to find the best dentist today!
