Wisdom tooth xray view. Medically accurate tooth 3D illustrationIt goes without saying that oral health concerns are phenomena that will influence your smile’s health for the rest of your life. Indeed, these complications can begin as soon as you develop your first tooth, and lifelong treatment is a must. Though traditional concerns such as gum disease and tooth decay are often at the top of the list in terms of frequency, bear in mind that there are a variety of other unique ways that your smile’s health can be affected. In today’s blog, your Leawood, KS dentist discusses the influence your wisdom teeth have on your smile, and how our team can help.

Depending on Development

By now you are familiar with the smile development process. You know that your baby teeth begin to make their appearance around the time of your first birthday, and that these structures are not permanent. In fact, they will begin to fall out to make room for your permanent adult teeth during your elementary school years. By the time your twelfth birthday rolls around, you have the majority of your adult teeth.

The process does not stop here, however, as your final structures to arrive are your wisdom teeth. These are the teeth that complete your smile on either side, with two arriving at the top and two at the bottom. The problem arises, however, when they do not erupt properly.

You see, your wisdom teeth experience a much higher rate of improper development, which can lead to crowding and structural complications. As such, there are instances in which your dentist will recommend removal in order to prioritize your overall oral health. To learn more about this process and how our team can help, give us a call today.

Potential Complications

When your wisdom structures erupt incorrectly, a few different concerns can occur. For example, sideways eruptions can actually cause these structures to grow toward the direction of your neighboring teeth, leading to overcrowding. As this occurs, your bite can readjust and your neighboring teeth can develop at an angle.

Another complication that arises is when structures erupt only partially, creating a passageway for oral bacteria to enter the gums and cause oral infections to develop. If your structures are developing in a manner that either of these scenarios becomes an option, then your dentist will recommend extraction to circumvent these issues. Give us a call today to learn more.

Not Everyone Needs It

One important piece of information to note is that not everyone requires their wisdom teeth to be removed. In fact, there are plenty of instances where structures develop optimally and no issue is experienced. Because of this, it is best to consult with your dentist before scheduling your wisdom tooth extraction.

Schedule Your Visit

To learn more about the ways wisdom teeth influence your smile’s health, contact Dreem Dentistry in Leawood, KS by calling 913-681-5500 and speak to a member of our team, or set up your next appointment with our office today.