Most of us know about that third set of permanent molars located at the very back of the oral cavity as our wisdom teeth. They typically start trying to grow in when we reach our late teen and early adulthood years. With dietary changes and improved health care, we’ve evolved to increasingly rely more on the first two sets of permanent molars. In fact, the size of the modern human jawline is shorter than our ancestors, and this causes various issues when wisdom teeth attempt to emerge above the gum line. Rather than these teeth functioning for us in helping us chew, they now typically create various problems for us. Therefore, most of us have to have a wisdom tooth extraction to address these concerns.
The growth of a wisdom tooth often leads to crowding in the oral cavity. Commonly, smaller jaws and the irregular growth of wisdom teeth create pressure on the entire jawline. This can lead to issues with practicing good oral hygiene as wisdom teeth carry a greater risk of cavities and infections. As such, pulling a wisdom tooth is the ideal and often only viable solution. Despite patient fears, many often learn that having a dental extraction was well worth it. This is why OMSH shares the four main benefits of having your teeth pulled. Read on to learn more!
Less Crowding
Since humans have evolved with smaller jaws over time, the development of an extra set of molars leads to crowding in the oral cavity. With limited space, a growing wisdom tooth puts pressure on the rest of our teeth, which, in turn, causes alignment issues. Crowding in the oral cavity increases the need for corrective treatment such as braces or extraction of healthy teeth. By removing the wisdom tooth, you can significantly reduce crowding. This, in turn, will reduce the likelihood of getting corrective treatments, including braces and surgery.
Reduces the Risk of Damage to Nearby Teeth
Once your third molars completely emerge, oftentimes their location can make it very difficult for you to keep them clean. Maintaining hygiene is not just an issue for the wisdom teeth, but it’s also challenging to keep the nearby molars clean. Thus, the growth of wisdom teeth increases the risk of developing cavities in adjacent molars.
Also, the awkward position of wisdom teeth puts pressure on other molars while they are emerging. And depending on how they grow, their roots can start to weaken. Given all the complications, it’s best to have a wisdom tooth extraction before the tooth creates problems for other teeth.
Helps Reduce the Risk of Oral Diseases
In addition to causing cavities, the presence of wisdom teeth can lead to inflammation of the gums. Cavities, along with inflammation of the gums, can lead to infections. Some infections can even affect the nerves under the gums, which can create serious issues in the oral cavity. Thus, another benefit of wisdom tooth extraction is the reduced risk of oral diseases.
Lessens Pain and Discomfort in the Oral Cavity
For many people with wisdom teeth, they can eventually become painful over time. However, when your dental practitioner removes them, you’ll experience less pain and pressure in the oral cavity. Pulling molars can also reduce gum and tooth sensitivity, and ease your overall discomfort. In the end, various patients find that having a wisdom tooth extraction can improve their overall quality of life.
If you suspect that you may need a dental extraction due to troublesome teeth, be sure to consult with the expert oral surgeons of OMSH in Houston. Our oral maxillofacial surgeons are highly-skilled and experienced when it comes to pulling teeth and any other kinds of oral surgeries. For an appointment or more information, contact OMSH online, or call us directly at 713-804-6055.
