No one likes to get teeth pulled, but for many people, regardless of how well they care for their teeth, the wisdom teeth must come out. Wisdom teeth are a valuable asset to the mouth when they are healthy and properly positioned, but there are instances where this is not the case.

Problems may arise if an individual’s jaw isn’t large enough to accommodate the wisdom teeth. In these cases, they can become impacted, grow sideways, emerge only partway from the gum or remain trapped beneath the gum and bone. If your dentist recommends having your wisdom teeth taken out, you should follow his suggestion.

According to a local dentist, Dr. Brad Welsh DDS, despite the fact that many are pulled, wisdom teeth do have a purpose.

“They are for eating,” Welsh explained. “If you have enough room for them, they function like the six year and 12 year molars (also called the first and second molars). So contrary to popular belief, wisdom teeth do have a purpose.”

Unfortunately, wisdom teeth also have some common problems. One big problem is not having enough room in the mouth to grow properly.

“The most common problem associated with not having enough room for wisdom teeth is an infection called pericoronitis,” Welsh said. “This results when the teeth do not come far enough into the mouth for the gum tissue to attach to the root surface. This is called tooth impaction. By not having firm gum attachment, the usual barrier that prevents bacteria in the mouth from infecting deeper tissues is compromised. This infection is most common in the second and third decades of life.”

In addition to the pericoronitis infection, Welsh explained that another problem exists with impacted wisdom teeth and that problem is decay.

“Another common scenario for impacted wisdom teeth is decay forming on the root surface of the second molar in front of it,” Welsh said. “Because the impacted tooth is not in all the way, it touches the root surface of that second molar that is positioned just ahead of it. This can cause loss of not only the wisdom tooth, but also of the second molar in front of it as well.”

Keeping your wisdom teeth is not a good idea in these cases. Many times people operate under the assumption that if their teeth aren’t painful, then there are no problems. Wisdom teeth can pose many problems and the issue of pain may not come into play for a lengthy period of time. Although major issues may not begin until the twenties and thirties, it is a good idea to have wisdom teeth removed at a young age when healing and recovery are optimal.

“The normal age seems to be getting earlier as kids are physically maturing at an earlier age,” Welsh said. “Usually wisdom teeth are extracted in the teens. Timing of the surgery depends on individual growth and development.”

Most people are uneasy and anxious at the idea of getting their wisdom teeth removed, which is perfectly normal. The procedure is routinely performed under sedation and patients generally do quite well.

“Most people are sedated for wisdom tooth removal, making the procedure much less traumatic,” Welsh shared. “Post op complications are ever decreasing due to modern surgical techniques. The surgery itself does have risks but those risks are decreased with proper timing of the surgery.”

Welsh said that not everyone has wisdom teeth. In fact, they are the most common missing teeth of all.

“There is no real agreed upon theory as to why this is,” he added. “Some people develop one, two, three or four wisdom teeth and some develop none. Each individual is unique and different in this aspect.”

As far as complications from wisdom teeth surgery, Welsh said most complications arise from not following post procedure orders properly. However, some complications can arise even when procedures are followed to the letter.

“It is not a ‘simple’ surgery,” he emphasized. “It is a bone surgery and complications do occur even with good surgical techniques and good post op care.”

Having your wisdom teeth out before they start causing big problems is the best scenario. Also, younger patients are more apt to heal more quickly and feel better faster. If your dentist has been recommending that your wisdom teeth come out and you’ve been putting it off, you might want to reconsider your decision.

Taking care of your teeth and mouth are important, and getting a handle on your wisdom teeth early can prevent trouble down the road.