Wisdom teeth removal is one of the most common dental procedures. It can also feel quite scary for some people to the point where they might want to skip it and hence the question: What happens if I don’t get my wisdom teeth removed?
The answer to this question varies depending on the situation and your dentist’s verdict. In this article we are going to explore some of the more common answers to this question. So let’s get started.
The Role of Wisdom Teeth in The Mouth
Also known as the third molar, wisdom teeth tend to emerge between the ages of 17 and 25. The main function of the wisdom teeth is to assist the person with their chewing. They were designed to ease the process of eating hard and raw food. As humans learnt to cook and make more digestible foods that were easier to chew, our diet took severe changes in their directions.
The modern diet has led to the evolution of the human jaw to take a different direction as well. This means now there is little to no space for this extra number of teeth to comfortably fit in the mouth without causing any issues.
Risks of Not Removing Problematic Wisdom Teeth
While not everyone is going to face issues with their molars, leaving the problematic wisdom teeth is not a very wise course of action to take as these can lead to more complications.
One of the most common complications is tooth erosion. In many cases wisdom teeth tend to grow sideways. This means they are going to be pushing and hitting their adjacent tooth. Over time this will create cavities at the point of intersection resulting in restorative treatments. So the answer to “what happens if I don’t get my wisdom teeth removed” in this case is tooth loss!
Another common issue that may arise here is severe discomfort due to teeth jamming in the jaw. Many individuals experience insufficient space for their molars. Hence when they fully erupt, they start pushing the other teeth resulting in crooked smiles and in some cases altering the shape of the jaw. Over crowded teeth also mean that wisdom teeth will be difficult to clean making them prone to cavities and gum disease.
The above are some of the mild issues that can arise. Individuals who need to have their wisdom teeth removed but do not do so, are prone to a range of long term health issues that extend beyond the immediate area of the mouth.
One of these is TMJ disorder which is a chronic disorder that causes extreme pains in the jaw, headaches and difficulty chewing. Treating TMJ disorder is rather complex and requires professionals such as Dr. Maryam Horiyat to deal with the situation. The treatments can also go as far as having to get surgery in many cases.
The presence of impacted wisdom teeth can significantly increase the risk of developing periodontal disease. It is a condition that leads to inflammation in the gums. This will not only affect the oral health, but also can lead to other illnesses such as cardiovascular disease and even diabetes. This is because the bacteria from the infected areas can and will enter the bloodstream and spread throughout the body.
Maintaining Oral Health Without Extraction
So far we have tried to answer what happens if I don’t get my wisdom teeth removed. But another important question is that is it possible to maintain your oral health without extracting your wisdom tooth?
The answer to this question depends heavily on the situation. The condition of each individual is unique and depending on your treatment plan and what your dentist suggests, you may or may not be able to maintain your oral health with your wisdom teeth intact.
It is worth mentioning that there are countless individuals out there who are living a healthy life with their molars in place. They have no problems whatsoever and are not likely to face any issues as long as they keep up with their oral hygiene. This means that not everybody will need to have their wisdom teeth removed.
If you are amongst these lucky individuals you need to take extra care of your oral health. Besides all the general measures such as multiple daily brushing and flossing, chances are that your dentist recommends specific measures to manage your wisdom teeth.
There are also countless instances where even though the wisdom teeth are impacted, dentists recommend not having them removed. For these cases you will need to put in especial effort in flossing and brushing the impacted teeth.
Your dentist may also recommend other dental treatments such as orthodontic treatment to create more space for the molars to erupt. You might also need to take some antibiotics in order to resolve any infections there may be.
Conclusion
Overall there is no easy or one-size-fit-all answer to the question “what happens if I don’t get my wisdom teeth removed?”. Every case is different and going to need its own professional care and treatment. The best thing you can do is to visit a certified holistic dentist such as Dr. Maryam Horiyat and ask them about your condition and options before making a final decision.
