Why do wisdom teeth need to be removed?

Sometime around the late teens or early twenties, people’s wisdom teeth start to erupt. These are the third and final set of molars. When wisdom teeth come in properly — meaning they are correctly aligned — they do not interfere with the chewing power. Unfortunately, more often than not, wisdom teeth are misaligned, become impacted and unable to erupt, and need to be removed. If you're in need of a wisdom tooth removal, set up your appointment with Dr. Dave Verma and Dr. Arpana Verma at Frederick Dental Group in Frederick, MD.

Why do we have wisdom teeth?

It is thought that we have wisdom teeth because — back in the day — we ate a diet that consisted of more rough foods, like roots, leaves, and meat, all of which required more heavy-duty chewing power. As evolution progressed and diets changed, the human jaw has decreased in size creating no space for the 3rd molars. In fact, some people do not develop them at all.

Reasons Wisdom Teeth Need to be Removed

While there is no clear-cut rule that says every single person needs to have their wisdom teeth removed, there are certain situations where one or more wisdom teeth are causing a problem or have a strong likelihood that problems will eventually arise in the future that warrants their removal.

1. Fully Impacted Wisdom Teeth

When a wisdom tooth is “impacted”, it means that the tooth is covered partially or completely by gum or bone, thereby preventing it from erupting through the gum. This often occurs when the mouth is too small to allow enough room for the tooth to emerge. Because bacteria, food, or other mouth substances can be lodged under the gum that covers the wisdom tooth, it can lead to an acute abscess, known as pericoronitis.

2. Partially Impacted Wisdom Teeth

When a wisdom tooth is partially impacted, meaning the tooth has partially emerged from the gums, it is almost always advised to be removed. Because of its location in the very back of the mouth, a partially erupted wisdom tooth is more susceptible to not only decay and cavities, but also gum disease.

3. Other Reasons to Have Wisdom Teeth Removed

If you experience any of the below dental issues or changes in your dental health, removal of your wisdom tooth (teeth) may be necessary:

• Pain at or surrounding the wisdom tooth site, including the jaw or cheek area
• Repetitive infections
• Gum disease
• Tooth decay (extensive)
• Tumors
• Cysts
• Damage to surrounding teeth

It is important to know that the decision to have a wisdom tooth removed isn’t always cut and dry. It is essential to talk to Dr. Dave Verma and Dr. Arpana Verma about the alignment of your wisdom teeth if they have already erupted, the health of your wisdom teeth if impacted or partially impacted, and your overall dental health to determine what is best for your situation. Contact Frederick Dental Group in Frederick, MD, to schedule an appointment today! Call 301-624-1001.