What Are The Advantages And Disadvantages Of Removing A Wisdom Tooth?

 It is necessary to know whether you should remove the wisdom teeth or not. You might have heard people saying that wisdom teeth bring wisdom and maturity, but this is not the case. There are times when this can cause problems in your mouth and can lead to major other problems. Suppose you're unsure whether to opt for ts removal. Then congratulations, you are at the right place. Through this article, you will be reading about how you can get the wisdom teeth removed at the right time and what the pros and cons are. Continue reading and know more about the same.

Why Are Wisdom Teeth Removed?

Here are the main reasons that dentists recommend:

1. Not enough space

Most people's jaws are too small to accommodate wisdom teeth. When they try to come in, they push against other teeth, leading to overcrowding and crookedness.

2. Wisdom teeth are impacted

There are times when wisdom teeth don't come out fully and remain stuck under the gums. These are called impacted teeth. This can be painful and might cause a tooth infection in your mouth near other teeth.

3. Risk of tooth decay

You might be aware that wisdom teeth are at the back or in the corner of your mouth. Due to this, they are harder to brush and floss properly, and can cause the unhygienic buildup that leads to cavities. 

4. Potential for gum disease

Inadequate cleanliness surrounding wisdom teeth can also heighten the risk of gum disease. If the tooth infection continues to develop, it could affect other healthy teeth as well.

What are the Benefits of Keeping Wisdom Teeth?

Not everyone needs their wisdom teeth removed. In some cases, keeping them can actually have a few benefits:

1. Extra support for molars

Wisdom teeth can provide additional strength and stability to the molars beside them.

2. More chewing surface

With an additional set of molars, we now have increased surface area to crunch and grind foods. As a secondary function, this might be particularly useful for individuals with a tooth grinding habit.

3. Reduced overcrowding elsewhere

In some rare cases, wisdom teeth may actually balance out spacing issues in the mouth by creating more uniform alignment.

4. Protection from cavities

For some, or in ideal conditions, it can also act as a shield for your nearby molars that are vulnerable to decay. 

5. Helps maintain facial structure

Since removal requires cutting through bone, keeping wisdom teeth intact can help preserve bite force and facial structure over time. Root canal recovery with the premature removal could slightly affect chewing efficiency and jaw strength if not corrected.

What are the Disadvantages of Keeping Wisdom Teeth?

Here are some of the downsides of keeping the wisdom teeth in your mouth.

1. Overcrowding and misalignment

It's quite obvious that this might cause overcrowding of the teeth, and this will make your jaw misaligned. If it is extremely painful, then rush to an emergency dental clinic and get the right treatment quickly. 

2. Cleaning becomes harder

There is less space in your mouth, so proper brushing and flossing can become a challenge, leading to a higher chance of gum disease, tumors, and cavities.

3. Impaction problems

Check if your wisdom teeth are growing at a sharp angle or remain stuck under the gum, then it might be causing problems in chewing food. This might also cause jaw pain or even TMJ disorder if it is left untreated.

4. Serious oral health complications

There can be cases that can cause issues if it is left untreated in the long term, which can also make the oral health untreated.  Some people also face sleep apnea, and this leads to snoring problems.

In Brief, 

Well, this article has stated all the important things that you need to know about wisdom teeth removal. Still, if you are in a dilemma about whether you should remove a wisdom tooth or not, then you should trust your gut feeling.