Many people wait too long to deal with wisdom teeth. These are the last teeth that grow in your mouth, usually in your late teens or early twenties. Some people have enough room for them, but many do not. Knowing what happens if you don’t get your wisdom teeth removed can help you avoid pain, damage, and infection. So, keep reading to learn more.
Damage to Other Teeth
When your mouth does not have enough space, wisdom teeth can press against the molars next to them. This pressure can make your other teeth shift and become crooked. They may also crack or become loose. Some patients need braces or new dental work because their wisdom teeth damaged nearby teeth. This kind of pressure often leads to pain and more dental problems.
Jaw Damage
Wisdom teeth can stay trapped under the gums or inside the jawbone. This is called impaction. When this happens, cysts can form around the tooth. These cysts can slowly destroy the bone in your jaw and affect the nerves. In some cases, this leads to long-term jaw pain and even jaw weakness. The damage can spread and affect your ability to chew or open your mouth normally.
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Sinus Issues
Upper wisdom teeth sit close to the sinus areas in your head. When they grow upward or become infected, they can press against the sinuses. This causes pain, pressure, and stuffy feelings in the nose and face. In some people, sinus problems get worse over time and feel like a constant infection.
Inflamed Gums
Partially grown wisdom teeth leave a flap of gum tissue open. Food and bacteria can get trapped under that flap. This can cause an infection called pericoronitis. The gums become red, swollen, and painful. You may have trouble chewing or swallowing. Infections like this often return if the tooth stays in place.
Cavities
Wisdom teeth are hard to clean because they sit so far back in your mouth. Toothbrushes and floss do not always reach them well. Food and plaque collect around them easily, which leads to decay. Cavities in wisdom teeth often spread to nearby molars. The damage may lead to root canals or extractions of other teeth.
Alignment Issues
When wisdom teeth push against other teeth, your bite may change. Teeth may move out of place and shift forward. Even small changes in alignment affect how your teeth come together when you bite. This can lead to jaw pain and uneven wear on your teeth. Some patients need braces again to fix what the wisdom teeth moved.
Bacterial Infections
Trapped wisdom teeth can collect bacteria deep under the gums. These bacteria grow in places you cannot reach with a toothbrush. Infections can spread fast and cause swelling, pain, and fever. In very rare cases, bacteria from infected wisdom teeth can enter the bloodstream and affect the heart or brain. Infections like this require emergency medical care.
Final Thoughts
Wisdom teeth may not seem like a big deal at first, especially if they do not hurt. But waiting too long to remove them can lead to many problems. These problems include damage to other teeth, jaw and sinus pain, gum disease, tooth decay, bite issues, and infections. It is easier and safer to remove wisdom teeth before they start causing trouble.
FAQs
When is Wisdom Tooth Removal Necessary?
You need wisdom teeth removal in Phoenix if they grow in the wrong direction, press against other teeth, stay trapped in the jaw, or cause pain and swelling.
Why Do Wisdom Teeth Have So Many Problems?
Most people do not have enough space in their mouth for wisdom teeth. The teeth try to grow in, but they hit other teeth or get stuck.
Can You Die If You Don't Get Your Wisdom Teeth Removed?
It is rare, but it can happen. If an infected wisdom tooth spreads bacteria into the bloodstream, it can cause sepsis, which needs immediate treatment.
Do I have to get my wisdom teeth removed?
No, you don’t always have to get your wisdom teeth removed. If they grow in straight, have enough space, and stay healthy, removal may not be necessary.
