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What Happens If You Never Get Your Wisdom Teeth Removed

Wisdom teeth are the third and final set of molars most people grow in their early years of adulthood. These teeth can be beneficial to your oral health when they’re correctly aligned. Unfortunately, they usually grow misaligned and require surgical removal.

Learn more about wisdom teeth extraction.

The Dangers of Impacted Wisdom Teeth

Emerging wisdom teeth can lead to problems if there’s not enough room for them to grow, or if they erupt at the wrong angle. Wisdom teeth become impacted when they grow under your gums or are trapped inside your jaw. As your wisdom teeth break through your gums, your dentist will check your mouth for the following symptoms:


Wisdom teeth that aren’t in the right position: Misaligned wisdom teeth lead to trapped food in between the gums and teeth, which promotes bacterial growth. Excessive bacteria can result in cavities.

Inability to floss: It may not be easy for you to floss between your wisdom teeth and your neighboring molars.

Infection: If you’re experiencing pain, swelling, and a stiff jaw, you likely have an infection as a result of bacteria growth.

Cysts: Impacted teeth can result in cyst formation, which can damage your teeth’s roots and destroy the bone that supports your teeth.

The Importance of Wisdom Teeth Extraction

Even if your wisdom teeth aren’t causing issues, it’s best to undergo extraction to prevent future problems. Everyone experiences wisdom teeth growth differently, and some people don’t grow them at all. Your dentist may recommend a period of observation because it may be too early to tell if yours will become impacted or not.

If you’re considering getting braces, your dentist will advise you to go through with extraction. You won’t qualify for braces if you refuse to go through with removal because the rest of your teeth can’t straighten if there’s an obstruction.

Most people go through this procedure when they’re 18-25 years old because there’s a decreased chance of damaging adjacent teeth, lower risks associated with it, and they recover faster. Getting yours removed too early can lead to a challenging surgery because your wisdom teeth may still be embedded into your jawbone. Conversely, if you wait too long, there will be an increased risk of complications due to weakened teeth, bones, and gums.

Keeping Your Wisdom Teeth

Some people refuse to get their wisdom teeth extracted because they don’t want to experience pain. Although you may not like the thought of surgery, you must understand that removal is less painful than living with crowded teeth. If you decide to keep yours, remember to floss around them each night and visit your dentist regularly.

Contact Oral & Facial Surgery of Utah

If you’re tired of the pain and want to live comfortably again, then wisdom teeth extraction is right for you. Once your dentist takes your X-rays, you will need to consult with an oral surgeon. Schedule your consultation with the board-certified oral surgeons at Oral & Facial Surgery of Utah today.

   

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