Get wise to wisdom teeth … What they are, why they cause trouble, how we proactively care for them.
Piedra Dental Group provides extraction services in Cooper City, Florida, for teeth that must be removed due to extensive decay and other irreparable damage. Wisdom teeth often have to be removed, as they are vulnerable to complications that can cause intense pain, damage other teeth, and more.
What are wisdom teeth, and why are they so problematic?
These third molars are the last teeth to develop in the back-most part of the mouth. They get their nickname because they typically surface in our late teens to early 20s, a stage generally associated with the transition to adulthood and the acquiring of “wisdom.” Third molars tend to be associated with complications because by the time they develop, there is little room left in the mouth for them. The tooth can become impacted or partly or fully trapped in the jawbone, as there is no place for it to go due to the lack of proper space in the mouth to erupt correctly.
Will I know if a wisdom tooth is impacted?
All concerns and conditions must be evaluated and accurately diagnosed by our dentists, Drs. Alejandro Piedra and Robert Weishoff. However, there are many hard-to-miss signs that your third molars are not growing properly. They include:
- Gums that look puffier and redder than usual
- Gums that hurt when you brush or touch them
- “Pink in the sink,” or the presence of blood on your toothbrush, floss, and when cleaning your teeth
- Pain that radiates across the jaw
- Swelling around the jaw
- Halitosis (bad breath)
- A foul taste in your mouth
- Difficulty opening your mouth
What happens if I don’t treat an impacted wisdom tooth?
Oral conditions do not go away on their own without treatment. When teeth are impacted, they can affect other teeth. They may push up against other molars. This process can increase the risk of infections. The force from the teeth pressing against their neighbors can also result in crowding and other orthodontic issues requiring special treatment. Impacted wisdom teeth also put you at increased risk of developing gum disease, decay, and cysts that can damage the nerves and jawbone, too. These problems and the symptoms noted above can all be avoided with trusted and proactive care from your friends at Piedra Dental Group.
How do I avoid problems with my wisdom teeth?
The No. 1 thing that you can do is maintain routine visits or checkups at our office. During these visits, our dentists examine how these back teeth are developing. If they notice any problems, they can be tended to quickly before pain arises and the health of your mouth is threatened.
How do you remove a problematic wisdom tooth?
We use special techniques and dental instruments to lift the affected teeth from their sockets efficiently. The specific methods depend on factors like how accessible the tooth may be in your jaw. Whatever the case, you won’t feel anything during the process. Our team uses precision anesthetics and can also discuss sedation methods to keep you relaxed. Do not sit on the sidelines if you are concerned about a tooth or are overdue for a checkup. Call us at (954) 329-0673 today to schedule your visit.
