Wisdom teeth are the innermost third molars on the alveolar bone in the oral cavity, with a total of four on each side. Because these four teeth generally begin to erupt around the age of 16-25, when people's psychological and physical development are gradually approaching maturity, it is usually regarded as a symbol of "the arrival of wisdom", hence the name. However, due to the relatively late development of wisdom teeth, some people's oral jaws will not fully erupt normally due to the lack of sufficient space in the oral cavity, which is called impacted wisdom teeth by dentists. We often hear that impacted wisdom teeth should be removed as soon as possible. is this real? What are the dangers of not removing it?

Common hazards of wisdom teeth

1. Because it is in the deepest part of the mouth, daily cleaning work requires a lot of patience. Once it is not brushed cleanly or not at all, it is easy to cause tooth decay. When the tooth decay gradually corrodes and approaches the pulp, it will cause pain.

2. Wisdom teeth that have been prevented from growing in the mouth think that they have not germinated normally, and there will be gaps between the teeth in front of them. It is easy to impact food and cannot be cleaned in time. Over time, it is easy to cause caries of adjacent teeth.

3. Due to the lack of space on the alveolar bone in the oral cavity, impacted wisdom teeth will always squeeze the front teeth, which will easily lead to the destruction and absorption of the front teeth. It can even cause the front teeth to not erupt normally.

4. A space gap is often formed between the impacted wisdom tooth and the gum, which is shaped like a pocket. It is difficult to clean up food residues when it enters it. It often causes repeated inflammation and infection of the gums. Our situation is called pericoronitis of wisdom teeth by dentists. When the inflammation spreads to adjacent tissues, it may also cause infection of the oral and maxillofacial spaces, which can cause life-threatening breathing difficulties in severe cases.

5. Impacted wisdom teeth sometimes affect the mandible, resulting in odontogenic cysts or tumors in the jaw.

6. Wisdom teeth are repeatedly inflamed, which is easy to cause infection in the cheek space, and even changes in appearance due to disfigurement.

Are wisdom teeth useful?

Does that mean that the wisdom teeth in the mouth are useless, of course not, wisdom teeth also have a certain role:

1. If the wisdom teeth erupt normally and can bite normally with the opposite teeth, they can also perform the normal function of mashing food.

2. If there is a problem with the adjacent teeth of the wisdom teeth and need to be implanted, the wisdom teeth can be used as abutments to provide support, or the missing large teeth can be replaced by correction;

3. Of course, the wisdom teeth are very small, completely buried in the jawbone, and there is no pressure on the nerves and adjacent teeth, and no lesions have occurred, they can also be temporarily retained.

Which wisdom teeth should be removed as soon as possible

1. Tooth decay: Except for the wisdom teeth that are of value in the oral cavity or through treatment, all the others will be removed.

2. Violation of adjacent teeth: It has caused loosening of adjacent teeth, caries, and neuralgia. It is recommended to remove them as soon as possible.

3. Difficult to clean: Wisdom teeth are difficult to clean, often inflamed, that is, pericoronitis of wisdom teeth. It is recommended to remove them as soon as possible.

4. No clenching of teeth: If there is no opposing wisdom teeth in the mouth to bite, it is easy to cause food impaction, or cause temporomandibular joint disorders, and it is recommended to remove them.

5. Impacted teeth: usually buried in the alveolar bone. For abnormal eruption or diagnosis of the cause of the lesion, it needs to be removed as soon as possible.

Of course, if you still don’t know whether your wisdom teeth grow in your mouth and whether you need to remove them, it’s best to go to a regular hospital to have a radiograph and have them removed under the professional operation of a stomatologist.