After having your wisdom teeth removed you can expect a little pain and discomfort, but in most cases you won’t have any major wisdom teeth removal complications. However, if you choose not to have your wisdom teeth removed, there are a few problems to look out for. Luckily, these are all easily avoidable if you’re aware of them and have your wisdom teeth extracted.
8 Most Common Wisdom Tooth Complications
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Impaction
As your wisdom teeth grow in, there’s a possibility that they will become impacted. This means that they don’t fully grow in because they either cannot break through the gums or they don’t grow in all the way. While you can’t see your teeth so cosmetically this doesn’t make a different, impacted wisdom teeth can lead to infections due to bacteria growth in the spaces between the gums and teeth.
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Damage to other teeth
Anthropologists believe that wisdom teeth acted as an extra set of teeth for our ancestors. Their diet was largely made up of coarse food so these extra teeth were necessary. Now, we don’t need these teeth and as we have evolved as a species there isn’t enough room in the mouth for these. As a result, they can crowd other more important teeth and lead to a variety of problems.
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Alignment Issues
Even if you have had braces to straighten your teeth when you were younger, your wisdom teeth can ruin this alignment if they don’t go in straight. By growing in at an angle, they can push the rest of your teeth leading to a crooked smile.
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Inflamed Gums
The misalignment of your teeth after wisdom teeth start to grow can lead to irritation of your gums and impact your ability to maintain proper dental hygiene. This can lead to swollen, puffy gums.
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Cavities
If your gums swell because of your wisdom teeth, pockets of bacteria begin to form. This bacteria can cause cavities to develop.
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Jaw damage
Another surprising result of the growth of your wisdom teeth can be jaw damage. This is one of the biggest problems that you can have if you don’t have your wisdom teeth removed. The impacted teeth can cause growths in your jaw that can lead to nerve damage.
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Sinus issues
Not only do your wisdom teeth affect your mouth, but they can also affect your sinuses. Because of the lack of space in your mouth, these teeth grow in very close together. This can cause pressure that results in pain, congestion, and even infection.
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Tougher over time
Even if your wisdom teeth aren’t bothering you when they first grow in, you should consider having them removed sooner rather than later. As you age, the bones in your mouth get harder and your teeth become tougher to move. If you wait too long, you are at a greater risk for complications after your wisdom teeth are removed. From heavy bleeding to even fractured teeth, the problems are very uncomfortable.
If you’re interested in learning more about wisdom tooth removal, contact our office today. Our two South Florida locations are conveniently located in Plantation, and Coral Gables, FL.
