When Wisdom Teeth Become Worrisome

Many people have heard of wisdom teeth, and though they often develop without any problems, they’re more often recognized for the troubles they can cause as they try to develop. These usually stem from one or more wisdom teeth becoming impacted, which not only impedes their eruption, but also puts your other teeth at risk for numerous concerns. Today, we examine what it means when wisdom teeth become worrisome, and what you can do to alleviate the pain and problems they can cause if they do.

When a wisdom tooth can’t erupt

Wisdom teeth, which are more formally known as third molars, are the last of your permanent teeth to develop. By the time they do (usually between the ages of 18-25), the dental ridges often have little room left to accommodate them. This can lead to the molars becoming stuck, or impacted, and in some cases, this can force the molar to change its direction. When it’s no longer vertical, the molar’s growth pattern can point it towards or away from the molar already present, causing damage to the tooth and/or the jawbone structure around the third molar.

Extracting the impacted molar

The problems that can arise from an impacted wisdom tooth depend on numerous factors, including the specific direction the third molar has changed to. However, in many cases, increasingly worse discomfort and more complicated oral health concerns are common symptoms of the impaction. For many people, the only way to address or prevent these concerns is to extract the impacted wisdom tooth or teeth before they have a chance to continue harming their oral health. The sooner the teeth are extracted, the greater chance you’ll have of avoiding the need for more extensive treatment to restore your smile.

Preventing wisdom tooth problems

Not everyone develops wisdom teeth, and not everyone who does develops problems because of them. However, many people can keep a close eye on their wisdom tooth development by maintaining a strict schedule of dental exams with their dentist. If appropriate, your dentist may suggest extracting the wisdom teeth before they have a chance to cause significant problems due to impaction, helping you prevent several types of subsequent oral health concerns.

Learn more about wisdom tooth extraction

When wisdom teeth don’t develop or erupt properly, they can lead to several different oral health concerns. To learn more, schedule a consultation by calling Modern Smile in North Hollywood, CA, today at 818-763-9353. We also proudly serve patients who live in Burbank, Toluca Lake, and all surrounding communities.