wisdom teeth SouthlakeDid you know that keeping your wisdom teeth could harm your oral health? Wisdom teeth retention is problematic for many reasons. By keeping your third molars, you increase your risk for periodontal disease, abscesses, and orthodontic problems. Fortunately, extraction is a simple and effective solution for preserving your smile and health.

How Wisdom Teeth Affect Teeth and Gums

Third molars are not necessary for oral function. Instead, they tend to cause a number of problems when they come in. These teeth present oral health issues because they erupt years after other permanent teeth. Since permanent teeth are already established, there is rarely room in the mouth for wisdom teeth to come through the gums upright. This can lead to healthily positioned teeth becoming overlapped or crowded. In some cases, retaining third molars can lead to a patient needing orthodontic treatment to correct misaligned teeth.

Without enough room to erupt, third molars typically become stuck in the gums. This means that only part of the tooth’s crown is exposed while the rest of the tooth is lodged in the gums. With a partially exposed tooth, patients have a higher risk of developing dental caries (tooth decay) and gum disease. This is because food and bacteria become trapped under the gums and properly cleaning a partially exposed tooth is extremely difficult.

In most cases, it is best for a patient to have their wisdom teeth removed as soon as they begin to come in so that future problems related to third molar retention can be eliminated.

Gentle Tooth Extractions

Our oral surgeon is very experienced with extracting teeth. With additional training and education to perform oral surgery, our patients enjoy peace of mind knowing that they are in great care. During all procedures, our team will provide the proper amount of medication to ensure that those in treatment are comfortable and relaxed.

To schedule a consultation or examination, call 817-552-3223 and speak with our friendly team today.