How Wisdom Teeth Contribute to Gum Disease
Gum disease is a serious oral health condition that progresses rapidly. This condition, when left untreated, can wreak havoc on a person’s oral health. Improper and/or inadequate oral hygiene is a major contributor to the development of gum disease.
Wisdom teeth rarely emerge properly. They tend to become stuck in the gums and if they erupt the gingiva at all, it’s often a partial eruption. This makes keeping wisdom teeth free of debris and plaque very difficult. As bacteria collect on wisdom teeth and under the gingiva, they can infect the gums.
Beyond their tendency to erupt improperly, wisdom teeth are difficult to keep clean because of their location. Flossing and brushing at the back of the mouth is very difficult. The fact that wisdom teeth contribute to crowded and crooked teeth also makes it difficult to thoroughly clean the entire mouth.
Other Benefits of Wisdom Teeth Removal
In addition to protecting your gum health, having wisdom teeth removed can prevent a number of other oral health concerns.
The arrival and retention of wisdom teeth is associated with issues like TMJ disorder, decay, abscesses, and orthodontic issues. Wisdom tooth retention can negatively impact oral function and strain the joints and facial muscles responsible for mouth movement. This can lead to the development of a painful condition called TMJ disorder.
Since wisdom teeth rarely have enough room to erupt properly, they can crowd other teeth, moving them out of healthy positions. Sometimes patients require orthodontic treatment in adulthood to undo the damage caused by the arrival of wisdom teeth.
Our oral surgeon is an expert at wisdom teeth removal. Call us today to reserve an appointment.