Throughout your lifetime, your mouth will go through several changes. One of these major changes is the appearance of wisdom teeth. These are also known as the third molars that typically come in between the ages of 17 to 21, although they can appear earlier or later than this. Wisdom teeth, when they are healthy and come in right, are beneficial for chewing. However, the problem is when wisdom teeth don’t have the proper amount of space to come in or come in the entirely wrong position.
Common Wisdom Teeth Issues
The common issue with wisdom teeth is them being “impacted.” Impacted wisdom means they are either trapped in your jaw or underneath your gums. If they are improperly coming in, food and plaque may become trapped. Since they are trapped and inaccessible to brush or floss, they create an optimal place for bacteria to grow and thrive. This, in turn, can cause many other dental issues to simultaneously arise. The issues can look like infection, pain, swelling, jaw stiffness, root damage of nearby teeth, or destruction of bone support around other teeth.
Wisdom Teeth Best Practices
Oftentimes, dentists will recommend removal of wisdom teeth to avoid these issues. This is why it is important to have regular visits with your dentist where you will be x-rayed to see changes in mouth and teeth. It should also be noted that when wisdom teeth do come in, you will have a little discomfort. However, if you are feeling pain, contact your dentist immediately.
Contact Us
If you have further questions about fluoride or tooth decay, call us at (218) 463-1070 or schedule an appointment here.