Wisdom teeth, or third molars, typically emerge during the late teens to early twenties. While they might seem harmless, delaying wisdom teeth removal can lead to a host of issues that you might not expect. In fact, removing wisdom teeth is often considered part of preventive dentistry because it helps you avoid future problems before they start.
If you’ve been putting off wisdom teeth removal, now’s the time to take action. Contact Thomas F. Brown, DDS, at (630) 369-3120 to schedule gentle wisdom tooth extractions in Naperville, IL.
In today’s blog, our Naperville dentist explains what can happen if you wait too long to remove wisdom teeth. Let’s dive in!
Crowding and Shifting Teeth
One of the most common problems with delayed wisdom teeth removal is crowding.
When wisdom teeth try to push through, they often don’t have enough room to grow in properly. This can cause other teeth to shift out of place, undoing years of orthodontic work or creating uncomfortable alignment issues.
Pain and Swelling
If wisdom teeth become impacted (a fancy way to say “stuck”), they can cause serious discomfort.
Impacted teeth press against surrounding molars. So, delaying wisdom teeth removal often leads to:
- Pain in the back of the mouth
- Swelling in the gums
- Headaches
- Impaction, infections, and cysts
Tooth Decay and Gum Disease
Wisdom teeth reside so far back in the mouth that they are hard to reach with a toothbrush and floss. So, when you delay wisdom teeth removal, these tricky molars can become a breeding ground for bacteria.
As a result, tooth decay and gum disease can take over, causing significant problems for your smile. It’s much easier to keep your mouth healthy when those hard-to-reach wisdom teeth are out of the way!
Infections and Abscesses
In some cases, stuck or partially-emerged wisdom teeth can lead to infections. If bacteria get trapped in the gums around a partially erupted tooth, it can cause a painful condition known as pericoronitis.
Left untreated, this can lead to abscesses (pus-filled pockets of infection) that may spread harmful bacteria to other parts of the mouth or even the bloodstream. Wisdom teeth removal can prevent these complications before they start.
Difficulty with Future Procedures
If you wait too long to get your wisdom teeth removed, the procedure itself can become more complicated.
As we get older, the roots of wisdom teeth grow longer and more entrenched in the jawbone, making extraction more difficult and increasing recovery time. By removing wisdom teeth earlier, you can avoid these challenges and heal faster.
Preserve Your Smile with Wisdom Teeth Removal in Naperville, IL
While delaying wisdom teeth removal might seem tempting, it can lead to a cascade of issues from crowding and pain to infections and dental decay. By addressing wisdom teeth removal early, you can avoid these complications and keep your mouth healthier in the long run.
Schedule a wisdom tooth removal consultation with Thomas F. Brown, DDS, online, or reach our Naperville dental clinic at (630) 369-3120 for more information and scheduling.