4 Reasons To Have Your Wisdom Teeth Removed

Wisdom teeth are the molars that grow in the very back of your mouth. You can have one, two, three or four wisdom teeth, one on each jaw. While not every wisdom teeth needs to be removed, there are many reasons to have them extracted. Here are four common reasons to have them removed.

1. You Have Pain or Discomfort

If you have any type of pain or discomfort from your wisdom teeth, it is best to have them removed. The pain they are causing could be any number of things, from the tooth growing in and pinching a nerve, to causing jaw discomfort due to their location.

2. It is Pushing Against Other Teeth

Your wisdom teeth might also grow in at an angle, which can push against your other teeth. Not only does this cause pain after a while, but it can cause your other teeth to start shifting. It is easier and less expensive to have that wisdom tooth removed instead of needing orthodontic treatment later on to get your teeth back into their original straight line. If you have noticed that your teeth are starting to look misaligned or you have gaps where you once didn't, then you probably have wisdom teeth pushing against your other teeth.

3. They Are Difficult to Clean

Since wisdom teeth are located in the very back of your mouth, they are extremely difficult to clean. Even with an angled toothbrush and careful flossing techniques, they are prone to tooth decay and gum disease because they don't get cleaned as good as your other teeth. If you have signs of decay or simply have problems cleaning them thoroughly, it is best to get your wisdom teeth removed. This can save you from developing gingivitis or getting a bacterial infection.

4. You Have a Bad Infection

There may come a time when you get a bad infection due to your wisdom teeth. If the choices are to have a root canal in the tooth or have it removed, you should just opt to have it removed. Due to the angle and location, it would be difficult to have a root canal. The only logical reason to have a root canal is to save a tooth. Since this is not an issue with wisdom teeth, it is best to have them removed if your dentist tells you that you have an infection. Removing it will also prevent further infections of the tooth and roots. For more information, contact a dentist like Area Dental Associates - Comfortable Family and General Dentistry.