Wisdom teeth are one of those things that you rarely think about until they become a problem. Our third molars sit in the back corners of our smiles, and, unfortunately, they are prone to causing a number of oral health problems.
Most of us do not have enough room in our mouths to accommodate wisdom teeth. That is why our Orland Park dentists provide in-office wisdom tooth extraction. Timely extraction can help you avoid a wide range of oral health issues that pop up as your wisdom teeth attempt to emerge.
As your wisdom teeth start to come in (or at least try to come in) you may notice a feeling of tightness or pain in the back of your smile. Wisdom teeth usually become active in late adolescence or later.
Because the space in your mouth is limited, your wisdom teeth may not be able to completely erupt through the gum tissue. Partially erupted wisdom teeth can lead to bad breath, cavities, and gum disease. This is especially true because it is very difficult for patients to effectively clean their third molars. If you notice that it is hard to keep your breath fresh and clean, or if you have a persistent bad taste in your mouth, this could be related to your third molars.
Many wisdom teeth begin to emerge at odd angles—horizontally or slantwise. You may find that your wisdom teeth apply pressure to your existing smile, and cause your other teeth to shift and become crowded. You may also find that your gum tissue feels sore and irritated due to emerging third molars.
Our Orland Park wisdom teeth dentists will help you determine whether you need to have your wisdom teeth extracted, and if so, when is the best time to do it. Give us a call to learn more and to schedule a consultation with our helpful team!