Wisdom Teeth: Why Are They Removed?

If you have been to the dentist lately, and he or she has suggested that you get your wisdom teeth removed, you may be wondering why. Of course, your dentist may have explained the reasoning for it, but if they haven't or you are concerned that your dentist will suggest wisdom teeth removal in the future, then you may want to know why this could be. Here are the many reasons for wisdom teeth removal:

• The Wisdom Teeth are Growing in an Odd Position: If you have had braces, or your teeth are aligned really well together, then your dentist probably doesn't want your wisdom teeth to change that. Of course, if you need braces, you could always wait for them after your wisdom teeth have grown in. However, if you have already had braces, then there is cause for concern if the money spent on your braces is going to go to waste because of the odd position in which the wisdom teeth are growing.
• The Wisdom Teeth are Trapped: There is also the possibility that your wisdom teeth could get trapped under the gum lining in your mouth, which can cause you some discomfort, if not now, then in the future. This usually happens when there is a lack of space in your mouth for the wisdom teeth to grow. 
• The Wisdom Teeth are Infected: The wisdom teeth are hard to reach since they grow in the very back of your mouth, which can cause infection and tooth decay. If this is the case, then the wisdom teeth will need to be removed to prevent problems with gum disease or oral cancer in the near future.
• There is a Misalignment of the Jaw: If your jaw is misaligned for whatever reason, wisdom teeth growth can cause this to become worse, which your dentist, of course, will want to prevent. Making this problem worse can make the treatment of the misalignment more complicated, potentially resulting in surgery. 
• Wisdom Teeth Aren't Needed: Many dentists find that wisdom teeth cause more harm than good, which is why they may suggest removal even if there isn't a current problem that the wisdom teeth are causing. If you don't have the insurance for it, or the money to pay out of pocket, then you could always choose not to have the removal done. However, if a problem does occur, you may find that your oral health costs you more in the long run than the cost of wisdom teeth removal. 

Wisdom teeth removal is necessary for a number of reasons. This is why if a dentist, such as Dr. Michael G. Allard, suggests it, you likely should have it done. If you are concerned, you can always ask your dentist for the specific reason why your wisdom teeth are posing a problem.