why do experts now say not to remove your wisdom teeth? Is there a connection between crowded teeth and wisdom teeth? When should wisdom teeth be removed? And finally, what are the health problems that can be caused by wisdom teeth?
I. What Is Wisdom Tooth?
Wisdom teeth are the third molars. They are located at the very back of the molar arches and are remnants of humanity’s past.
In the past, what we call wisdom teeth were used by our ancestors to chew raw or pre-cooked food. These teeth were then necessary for the survival of the species, which is not necessarily the case today.
This is why it is usually recommended to remove them.
II. Wisdom Tooth and Crowded Mouth
Wisdom teeth can often lead to crowded teeth. Over time, human jaws have changed in size and have become smaller.
Wisdom teeth, which are a legacy from a long time ago, do not always find space in the jaw. This causes dental crowding.
III. Why Do Experts Now Say not to Remove Your Wisdom Teeth?
The decision to remove wisdom teeth is not an obvious one. Although it is generally accepted that wisdom teeth should be removed as soon as they appear, this is not necessarily the right decision.
Today, many experts believe that wisdom teeth do not need to be removed. There are many reasons for this. First, it should be noted that wisdom teeth removal is still a surgical procedure. It can therefore prove to be heavy and difficult to live with for the patient.
The risks are numerous. For example, your orthodontist may touch the nerves near your wisdom teeth. You may then (temporarily) experience numbness in your lower jaw.
Another reason is cost. Wisdom teeth extractions are not necessarily affordable for everyone. The trivialization of this type of operation should not make us forget the fact that it is costly. Some specialists believe that this cost may be too much pressure.
Nevertheless, all this should not make us forget the reasons why it is advisable to extract wisdom teeth. The position of the wisdom teeth at the back of the jaw carries several risks.
First of all, cleaning these back teeth is not always easy. This makes wisdom teeth a greater risk of decay than other teeth.
In addition, the growth of wisdom teeth is often painful and uncomfortable. Sometimes they don’t come out completely, so they are called semi-included teeth. This is another danger with wisdom teeth.
Dental crowding is another risk associated with wisdom teeth. When wisdom teeth come out, they often don’t have enough room in the mouth.
But if you have wisdom teeth that come out normally and completely, if they are not crowding your mouth and can be brushed without worry, then there is no need to extract your wisdom teeth.
Talk to your dentist to evaluate the pros and cons.
IV. When Is It Necessary to Remove Wisdom Teeth?
1. Overcrowding
Sometimes the jaw does not have enough room for all the teeth. When the wisdom teeth come out, they may get stuck between the other teeth.
This causes what is called crowding, with the teeth almost on top of each other. Crowded teeth are not only unsightly, but they are also a health hazard. Crowded teeth are more likely to become infected because they are difficult to clean.
2. Protecting other Teeth
The decision to extract wisdom teeth is often related to the need to protect other teeth, especially neighboring teeth.
When teeth are crowded, the growth of wisdom teeth pushes against neighboring teeth. This weakens these teeth, which can even become mobile.
In this type of situation, your dentist may decide that your wisdom teeth need to be extracted to protect the other teeth in your mouth.
2. Pain
Although not always the case, wisdom teeth are often painful. They are painful while they are growing in, often causing inflammation and swelling of the gums.
Even more so when they are impacted or semi-impacted and do not come out of the gum at all or not completely.
3. Sinus Issues
Wisdom teeth in the upper jaw are often more or less connected to the sinuses. This creates a connection between the tooth and the sinuses, which can be a danger.
Maxillary sinusitis is a sinus infection caused by a dental problem. Thus, an infected tooth can contaminate, by ricochet, the sinuses. This is also a reason to remove wisdom teeth.
Although in the case of the sinuses, their removal can cause some problems.
V. Other Questions About the Appropriateness of Removing Wisdom Teeth
1. Why Do We Have Wisdom Teeth?
Because we are a constantly evolving species, we keep remnants of our ancestors. Wisdom teeth are one of them.
We have wisdom teeth from our past, from a time when we needed them to eat stronger foods than we eat today.
This is why many people have no use for wisdom teeth in our time.
2. Does Everyone Have Wisdom Teeth?
Wisdom teeth normally grow from the age of 18. But sometimes they come out much later, even in their 30s.
Not everyone gets wisdom teeth. Some people can go a long time without growing any wisdom teeth.
Some experts attribute this to the evolution of the species.
3. What Problems Can Occur After Wisdom Teeth Removal?
Wisdom teeth removal is still a surgical procedure. As with all surgical procedures, there are certain risks involved.
One of the first problems is an infection, which can occur after any tooth extraction. But normally, a good follow-up allows for avoiding this type of problem.
In the specific case of wisdom teeth, their extraction may involve a concern for the sinuses. Sinus communication is one of the possible side effects of wisdom tooth extraction when the tooth is close to the sinuses. Even though it is usually temporary, having a wisdom tooth removed can cause you to develop sinusitis.
Removing a wisdom tooth can also damage the tooth next to it. The second molar may be fractured or its crown is broken.
4. Can Your Wisdom Teeth Fall Out Naturally?
Wisdom teeth are permanent teeth, and unlike baby teeth, they do not fall out naturally. If your wisdom teeth are moving then there must be a cause, such as trauma or a dental problem.
This can be due to tooth decay or periodontal disease. Your wisdom teeth can also be weakened if you have dental crowding and if they are pressed against other teeth.
5. Gum Disease Could Be Caused by Bacteria Forming Among Wisdom Teeth?
With semi-included or impacted wisdom teeth, bacteria can form, and over time damage the gums.
These include diseases such as pericoronitis, which is an inflammation around a tooth crown, or cellulitis.
The latter is a bacterial spread in the soft tissues of the face.
6. Do they break your jaw to remove wisdom teeth?
It is not necessary to break the jaw to remove wisdom teeth. It is an operation that is done under local anesthesia.
An incision is first made at the gum line, and the bone around the tooth in question is broken away so that the tooth can be removed.
This is not a long operation, rarely lasting more than 45 minutes. It just requires a few days of recovery.
7. Wisdom teeth removal impact on the brain?
When done properly, wisdom teeth removal is safe for the brain. But if an infection occurs afterward, it is not just the tooth that is at risk.
In rare cases, the tooth infection can spread to the brain and cause a serious infection, such as a brain abscess.
8. Disadvantages of removing wisdom teeth?
Wisdom teeth removal is a surgical procedure. Therefore, there are legitimate risks and disadvantages to wisdom teeth removal.
These disadvantages are of different types. First of all, the cost of this operation, and secondly, the health risks, such as infection.
It is for these reasons that some people advise not to extract wisdom teeth if they have come out normally.
9. Can you die from not getting your wisdom teeth out?
An infection can still be fatal if not treated properly. If your wisdom tooth is infected and you don’t get it treated, an infection can spread over time and put you at risk of death. But wisdom teeth in themselves are not life-threatening.
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Do I Need to Have My Wisdom Teeth Removed?
Wisdom teeth are usually only removed if they cause problems