subject: Should Your Wisdom Teeth Be Removed? Find Out More. [print this page] Wisdom teeth are your third molars, and are the last teeth to develop and appear in your mouth. During a time often referred to as the "Age of Wisdom," wisdom teeth develop between the ages of 17 and 25. Your wisdom teeth can sometimes be a valuable asset to the mouth when they are healthy and properly aligned. However, wisdom teeth are more often misaligned and require removal. When your wisdom teeth are misaligned, they may position themselves horizontally, be angled toward or away from the second molars, or be angled inward or outward. Poor alignment of wisdom teeth can crowd or damage adjacent teeth, the jawbone, or nerves. By understanding wisdom teeth and when they should be removed, you can help protect your mouth from damage and misalignment.
Understanding Wisdom Teeth Pain
Oral pain can have a number of causes, including tooth decay, fracture or abscess, a broken or damaged filling, nightly teeth grinding, gum infection or wisdom teeth pain. Whatever the cause of your pain, it is important to visit your dentist in Charlotte immediately upon the feeling of pain. If you still have your wisdom teeth, you may be wondering if you will need them removed and how you can notice this unique pain.
Wisdom teeth grow in the back of your mouth, behind your molars. Since your wisdom teeth are the last set of teeth to develop in your mouth, they can often grow in crooked, sideways, or otherwise misaligned. As your wisdom teeth grow in, they can push against your other teeth, causing problems of overcrowding and misalignment for them as well. As your wisdom teeth come in, you may experience a large amount of pain. You will feel wisdom teeth pain at the back of your mouth, behind your molars. This area can often be red, inflamed and tender to the touch. However, some people may never even have visible symptoms of wisdom tooth pain.
When it comes to wisdom tooth pain, some people can experience a constant pain, while others may only experience pain and discomfort while chewing food or touching the area. Most dental professionals will advise that wisdom teeth should be removed before they become worse.
Impacted Wisdom Teeth
When a tooth is unable to fully enter the mouth, it is referred to as being impacted, which means it is unable to break through the gums because there is not enough room. Nine out of ten people have at least one impacted wisdom tooth. If an impacted wisdom tooth is left in the mouth it can damage neighboring teeth, or become infected. Because the third molar area of the mouth is hard to clean, it is an area that commonly invites bacteria that leads to gum disease.
Additionally, many people believe that as long as they are not in pain, they do not need to worry about their wisdom teeth. However, being pain free does not always mean problem free for your wisdom teeth. Wisdom teeth that come in normally may still be prone to disease. It is strongly recommended that your wisdom teeth be evaluated to assess the presence of third molars, disease status, and to suggest management options ranging from removal to monitored retention to ensure optimal patient-specific outcomes.
Talk to your dentist in Charlotte today for more information on the health of your wisdom teeth. Your dentist will be able to examine your wisdom teeth to determine if they need to be removed yet, or not.
by: Gen Wright
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