New Haven Dental Group is a 42 North Dental Care, PLLC practice and is owned and operated by dentists Dr. Samuel Shames, DDM. and Dr. Ronald Weissman, DDM. Gentle Dental is supported by 42 North Dental, LLC, a dental support organization that provides non-clinical administrative and business support services to the practice. 42 North Dental, LLC does not own or operate the dental practice or employ dentists to provide dental services. Find more information about 42 North Dental, LLC and the dental practices it supports at 42northdental.com.
Many people get their wisdom teeth extracted when they are in their late teens or early 20s. In fact, this procedure is deemed as a sort of rite of passage in some circles. But what if you choose not to remove your wisdom teeth? Well, you might be perfectly fine. However, there is also the risk that you could run into some serious oral health problems, especially if the teeth are stuck fully or partially beneath the gumline (impacted). What exactly might happen if you do not remove your impacted wisdom teeth? This blog post explains.
Gum Disease
Gum disease is an infection of the gum tissue that can cause swelling, discomfort, bad breath, and many other problems. It is even associated with systemic health conditions, such as heart disease.
If a wisdom tooth is partially impacted, it can be quite challenging to clean. As a result, bacteria may collect around its base and lead to gum disease. If the gum disease becomes severe enough, it could start to eat away at your jawbone and contribute to the loss of your healthy teeth.
Cavities
Because wisdom teeth are at the very back of the mouth, they are not always easy to clean. It might be tricky to use your toothbrush and floss to get rid of all the bacteria and food particles on your wisdom teeth, especially if they are growing in at an odd angle and tend to trap unwanted substances.
Some people have found that, despite their best efforts to adhere to a good oral hygiene routine, they end up with cavities in their wisdom teeth. The cavities, in turn, may cause extreme sensitivity and discomfort.
Damage to Nearby Teeth
There are a couple of ways in which wisdom teeth may affect other parts of your smile:
- When the wisdom teeth trap food and bacteria around them, those unwanted accumulations can also affect the neighboring molars.
- If there is not enough room in your mouth for your wisdom teeth to erupt properly, they may push against nearby teeth as they try to emerge from the gumline. They might end up shoving your other teeth out of place and adversely affecting your bite.
Cysts and Tumors
In some cases, cysts and noncancerous tumors form in or around impacted wisdom teeth. This can be quite uncomfortable, especially if these formations place pressure on nearby nerves.
Protecting Yourself
If your dentist recommends that you get your wisdom teeth removed, it would be wise to comply. Even if you are not experiencing any symptoms at the moment, you may run into trouble in the future. Getting your wisdom teeth extracted could be the best way to keep your smile healthy and functional!
Meet the Practice
New Haven Dental Group has served our community for decades. We are home to a talented, highly experienced team of experts who offer comprehensive oral care. We are pleased to provide wisdom tooth extractions in a welcoming, modern environment. If you have questions about this procedure or would like to book a consultation, contact our office at 203-712-4068.