Do you need to have your wisdom teeth removed? Wisdom teeth are not usually pulled out if they are fully grown, healthy, and are not causing any issues. Healthy and strong wisdom teeth grow at an appropriate angle to the rest of the teeth and provide more chewing support.

But sometimes wisdom teeth do not get enough room to grow fully and can bring about complications. Thus, how do you know when you need your dentist to pull out your wisdom teeth?

Aching, Swelling, and Difficulty Eating

If you feel pain when eating or experience continuous pain in your jaw even when you are not eating, your wisdom teeth could be causing the discomfort and will need to be pulled out. Also, when your wisdom teeth begin to grow, your gums may swell and become sensitive. This is your body’s natural response to the fighting cavity. 

As your wisdom teeth start growing, your body sends healthy blood to your gums to fight the bacteria from food particles that can cause cavities. As a result, your gums swell and become extremely sensitive. If the swelling and sensitivity are making it hard for you to eat or clean your teeth, schedule a visit with your dentist.

Crowding Neighboring Teeth

When your wisdom teeth do not get enough room in your mouth to grow, they will grow at awkward angles. This can cause neighboring teeth to change position or move closer together to create room for the wisdom teeth. Such overcrowding makes it easier for bacteria and food particles to get sandwiched between your teeth. 

As such, you may have trouble cleaning these hard-to-reach areas of your teeth and gum. Cavities will most likely begin to develop when decay-causing germs get the room to grow. Talk with your dentist for a dental exam if you think your wisdom teeth are causing the rest of your teeth to overcrowd.

Inability to Fully Grow 

Wisdom teeth that have not completely emerged on the gum’s surface can trap food particles and bacteria, causing an accumulation of plaque. An accumulation of plaque can bring about tooth decay, gum disease, and swelling.

Wisdom teeth can take years to fully grow. But you need to be able to clean them as they grow, in keeping with your oral hygiene practice. If you find it hard to clean your wisdom teeth due to swelling or other causes, contact your dentist.

Impacted Wisdom Teeth

Impacted wisdom teeth mean that there is not enough space in your mouth to fit your wisdom teeth. The lack of room can cause your wisdom teeth to get trapped inside your gums at inappropriate angles. 

This complication can cause other issues such as overcrowding, damage to teeth roots and jaw support, cavities, swelling, infection, and more. The decision to pull out your wisdom teeth is not always clear. Consult your dentist about the position and well-being of your wisdom teeth and what solution will work best for your situation.

To learn more about how to know when to have your wisdom teeth pulled out, visit SmileOn Dentistry at our office in Marina Del Rey, CA. You can also call (310) 881-8780 to book an appointment today.