Most people recognize the term, wisdom teeth, and the fact that they’re often the source of a wide variety of dental health concerns. However, for many patients in Santa Rosa, CA, that only raises more questions. For instance, if they’re so problematic, then why do we grow them, and what makes them so problematic in the first place? Today, we answer a few of those questions to help you better understand the problem of wisdom teeth and what you should do if yours become an issue.
Why do we have them?
The truth is that wisdom teeth aren’t as important as your other teeth when it comes to your overall oral health. Our ancestors once needed them to consume a rougher diet of raw foods, but their jawbones were large enough to accommodate them. These days, there is often little room left along our dental ridges to accommodate them, which can lead to a host of troubles.
Why do they hurt so much?
The thing about wisdom teeth is that they don’t have the room to grow comfortably as they used to, but they still try. The result is that wisdom teeth often become impeded by the molars that are already at the ends of your dental ridge and continue pushing themselves against them. As they do so, your wisdom teeth can force your other teeth out of alignment, damage them through excessive pressure, and cause severe levels of discomfort that grow increasingly worse.
Should I extract mine?
If your wisdom teeth are already causing you problems, then your best course of action is likely to extract them. However, many patients opt to extract theirs before problems develop in order to avoid the need for extensive restorative treatment. To determine if you should extract yours now, your oral health expert will perform a thorough examination and consult with you personally.
Learn more about wisdom teeth
If your wisdom teeth are causing trouble, then find out how extracting them could alleviate the discomfort and restore your good oral health. To learn more, schedule a consultation by calling Santa Rosa Oral Surgery in Santa Rosa, CA, today at 707-545-4625.
