Is there a chance that you will still have your wisdom teeth? If so, you may wonder if they should be extracted. Some people simply do not have wisdom teeth, but the majority of those who do need them extracted. About 75% of people need to have their wisdom teeth removed. Keeping this in mind, read on to discover a few common reasons for this procedure and some warning signs to watch out for shared by our 60467 oral surgeon.

Wisdom teeth often don’t have the space to grow properly and create problems for your other teeth. By taking X-rays and scanning your mouth and jaw, dentists and oral surgeons can predict problems with your wisdom teeth before they occur, so you may not feel pain when they recommend having them removed.

Wisdom teeth can erupt at various angles, sometimes horizontally, and can lead to a variety of complications, including:

• Being completely hidden inside the jaw and becoming impacted. It is sometimes possible that impacted wisdom teeth can cause pathologies such as cysts and tumors.
• The teeth only emerge partially through the gums, which creates a passageway for bacteria. Partially emerged wisdom teeth provide an opportunity for bacteria to grow, which increases the chances of gum disease or infection.
• Crowding the nearby teeth. Wisdom teeth may crowd other teeth or damage them if they don’t have enough space when they emerge.

Do so-called “healthy” wisdom teeth need to be removed?

Regardless of whether your wisdom teeth come through normally or have been detected on x-rays and seem to pose no problem, you should still consider wisdom tooth removal to avoid future dental problems. Wisdom teeth may reposition themselves at any time while embedded in the gum tissue. These situations can quickly lead to impaction and infection.

Additionally, wisdom teeth are more likely than other teeth to develop cavities. They are located very far back in the mouth and are therefore difficult to reach. People tend to have difficulties brushing and flossing their wisdom teeth properly, so they develop cavities more rapidly than other teeth.

Here are some warning signs that you should be on the lookout for.

• You’re having trouble opening your mouth.
• An ongoing problem with bad breath
• Jaw pain or stiffness.
• Gums that are swollen, tender, or bleeding.
• It’s tough to chew.

You should schedule an appointment with an oral surgeon if you notice any of these warning signs. From there, they can take a look at what’s going on beneath the surface and perform a visual exam. Depending on their findings, they might recommend having your wisdom teeth removed. Remember, you can be symptom-free yet still require wisdom tooth removal. This is why biannual dental checkups and cleanings are so important. Routine dental visits allow your dentist to monitor any changes, particularly with wisdom teeth.

Our oral surgery office is experienced in the safe and comfortable removal of wisdom teeth. We invite you to schedule an appointment to our Orland Park, IL oral surgery office today.