Complications From Not Having Wisdom Tooth Removal as a Teenager

Wisdom tooth removal is needed when the wisdom teeth, which erupt between age 17 and 25, start to erupt but there is not enough room for the teeth to erupt properly. Leaving the wisdom teeth in the mouth can lead to problems that can jeopardize one’s oral health.

What happens if you do not get your wisdom teeth removed as a teenager?

Wisdom teeth can technically be removed at any time, but dentists recommend wisdom tooth removal while a patient is still in their teens. This is because the jaw bone is still soft, which makes the extraction easier and also cuts down the healing time. Getting the wisdom tooth extracted as an adult is harder because the jaw bone is fully developed and it will take a longer time to heal from the procedure.

What are the complications associated with not having your wisdom teeth removed?

The inability of the wisdom teeth to erupt properly can lead to oral health problems, some of which include:

Tooth decay and gum disease

When one’s wisdom teeth fail to emerge properly, the parts of the teeth that manage to erupt can create hard-to-clean pockets in the gum tissue or between the teeth, providing places for bacteria to grow. The bacteria can eventually lead to gum disease and tooth decay. Severe cases of bacteria growth in the mouth can lead to an infection.

Bone loss

In addition to decay and gum disease, the failure of the wisdom teeth to erupt properly can also lead to bone loss. This occurs when there is a cyst in the jaw bone around the wisdom tooth that can lead to a loss of bone in the area, which can affect one’s facial structure and appearance.

Sinus problems

The problems caused by a wisdom tooth not being removed is not limited to one’s oral health, it can also affect other parts of the body, especially the sinus. The upper wisdom teeth lie close to the maxillary sinus, which is a cavity behind the nose. If the wisdom teeth get inflamed or infected, it can negatively affect the sinus cavity, leading to congestion, infections or headaches.

How long does it take to get wisdom teeth removed?

Wisdom tooth removal is a very simple process that does not take a lot of time. The procedure is usually completed within 45 minutes or less. The dentist will administer some anesthesia to the patient so they do not feel any pain while they are having the tooth extracted.

If the dentist has to cut open the gum tissue or jaw bone to extract the tooth, they will close the wound created by the incision with stitches, which should dissolve in a few days. They may also put some gauze pads in the patient’s mouth to soak up the blood. After the surgery, there is little to no pain and normal activities can be resumed within a few days.

Conclusion

Wisdom tooth removal is necessary if your wisdom teeth are unable to erupt properly because they can cause significant pain and damage to the rest of your teeth. Not having extraction as a teenager can make the problem worse, which is why parents are advised to make sure their children’s wisdom teeth are remvoved around their teenage years.

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