123 Dental

Thursday, May 26, 2016

Wisdom Teeth

Should You Get Your Wisdom Teeth Removed?
As we enter our teens, we may see wisdom teeth start to pop up in the back of the mouth. Wisdom teeth are the final set of molars. They can be kept in the mouth if they are healthy and aligned, but that is not typically the case. They often come in crooked or become impacted, causing pain and infection. Dr. Tommy C. Le is a Santa Ana dentist who can determine if your wisdom teeth need to be removed.

Complications
Misalignment is a common issue with wisdom teeth. They may erupt horizontally or become angled inward or outward. This alignment issue can affect adjacent teeth or even damage the nerves and jawbone. If this is a possible issue, then your dentist will have your wisdom teeth removed.

Impaction is another common issue. This occurs when the tooth only partially erupts through the gums. This is not a good thing, as this allows bacteria to cause an infection around the tooth. An infection can cause swelling and a stiff jaw. In addition, wisdom teeth that have partially erupted are hard to reach and, as a result, can cause gum disease and tooth decay.

If you do need to have your wisdom teeth removed, do as it as soon as possible. The procedure is easier when you're younger. As you age, the recovery time is longer.

Painful Wisdom Teeth?
If your wisdom teeth are causing you pain or worse yet - an infection - it's probably time to have them removed. Contact Santa Ana dentist Dr. Tommy C. Le for a consultation at (714) 542-7400.