No Symptoms? Wisdom Teeth Extraction And Your Healthy Mouth
Posted on: 25 May 2022
Do you need a wisdom tooth extraction if you don't have symptoms? You have wisdom teeth—but you don't have pain, swelling, or facial pressure/discomfort. If you're not sure whether your pain-free wisdom teeth should stay or you need to schedule an extraction, take a look at what you need to know about this common dental procedure.
Can You Keep Your Wisdom Teeth?
Yes, you can live with wisdom teeth. These teeth are the third molars—and can cause problems for some people. But this doesn't mean that every person who has wisdom teeth requires an extraction. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), patients who choose not to remove their wisdom teeth may require monitoring. Even though you may not have symptoms now, you could develop pain, crowding, or other issues in the future.
Do Wisdom Teeth Always Cause Problems?
No, wisdom teeth don't always cause problems. Issues that the third molars can create include anything from mild discomfort to a serious infection. Impacted wisdom teeth can cause pain, raise the risk of tooth decay, damage nearby teeth or the jawbone, or interfere with orthodontic treatment.
Even though these are common problems wisdom teeth can cause, some people won't experience these issues. If you're one of these people, you may wonder what you should do (if anything) about these third molars. Again, every person doesn't need to remove their wisdom teeth. Talk to your dentist about the current condition of your wisdom teeth, potential future risks, and the benefits of this procedure before you decide to schedule or skip an extraction.
Why Should You Consider Wisdom Teeth Removal?
The answer to this question depends on the future risks or potential problems that wisdom teeth can create. Your teeth may not seem or feel crowded right now. But it's possible that these teeth are too close to their neighbors. While this won't necessarily cause major shifts that are noticeable or require orthodontic treatment, it can raise the risk for dental disease.
Without enough space to properly clean in between your teeth, plaque can grow and eventually cause dental caries (cavities) or gum disease. Not only can this affect the nearby neighboring teeth, but the tight space in the back of your mouth can also make it difficult to clean the wisdom teeth and lead to decay.
If you want to learn more about extraction and the risks your wisdom teeth carry, discuss the options with your dentist. The decision to remove wisdom teeth depends on the individual's mouth, their dental needs, and existing issues/symptoms (such as decay) that may go unnoticed until it goes from minor to major.
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