Not everyone gets wisdom teeth, but even amongst those who do, the experience often differs wildly. Some people get four, but it’s possible to get only one, two, or three. You can even get up to five or six! Weirder still, sometimes they grow normally with no pain or complications, while in other cases they may cause crowding, tooth damage, and discomfort. Here are a few reasons why your “third molars” may hurt, and why your dentist might be recommending wisdom tooth extraction.
Why Do I Have Wisdom Teeth?
Back in the days of early man, wisdom teeth weren’t such a nuisance. In fact, they served a very important purpose. They initially grew in to replace the second set of molars, which eventually became worn down due to their primitive diets. Today, however, thanks to modern food preparation methods, our diets don’t cause as much wear and tear on our teeth. That, coupled with our smaller jaws make wisdom teeth largely unnecessary, and often more trouble than they’re worth.
Why Do My Wisdom Teeth Hurt?
There are many reasons your wisdom teeth may be causing you pain. Sometimes, it is simply a matter of them erupting through your gums. But other reasons they may hurt include:
- Cavities: because they don’t have much space in your jaw, wisdom teeth can grow very closely to their neighboring teeth. This can make it difficult to keep them clean and encourage the formation of cavities.
- Impacted tooth: If your wisdom tooth becomes impacted, this means it cannot fully erupt because it is trapped under the gums or in the jawbone. This can cause swelling and pain when chewing and biting, as well as jaw soreness and problems opening and closing your mouth.
- Cyst formation: When a wisdom tooth becomes impacted, it can form a cyst at the follicle, which can cause pain and damage to the tooth and jawbone.
- Gum disease: Because wisdom teeth are harder to reach with a toothbrush and dental floss, gum disease is more likely to develop around them.
Do I Need My Wisdom Teeth Extracted?
Because they’re no longer necessary, if a wisdom tooth is causing trouble the safest and easiest way to protect your smile is to have them extracted. This will not only make it easier to keep your other teeth clean and healthy, but it will also alleviate the pain they may be causing.
Remember, wisdom teeth no longer play an important role in your smile’s function, and thus if they are causing trouble they should be removed for the benefit of your oral and overall health. If you are experiencing any uncomfortable symptoms of these third molars, reach out to your dentist for help today!
About Our Practice
At Brite Smiles, Dr. Patel and Dr. Sani are proud to offer a variety of smile-saving treatments in house, including wisdom tooth extraction. If your third molars are causing you undue pain and trouble keeping them clean, removing them can help alleviate pain and protect your neighboring teeth from damage. To schedule a tooth extraction, please visit our website or call us today at 847-297-0808.
