What Happens If You Don’t Remove Your Wisdom Teeth?

Wisdom teeth are the third molars of your teeth set. They are the last molars in the mouth to erupt. Some aged between 17 and 25 years need to remove a wisdom tooth. Wisdom tooth removal is a preventive effort to save you from future problems.

Problems With Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom tooth does not fully erupt in about 80% of adults. It only erupts partially too. Wisdom teeth issues can occur when:

• Wisdom teeth become trapped (impacted) within your jaw if they cannot usually emerge. The tooth remains hidden entirely within the gums. This can lead to infection or cyst formation, harming other teeth roots or bone support.
• The tooth emerges partially through the gums. The back tooth area is difficult to see and clean. Wisdom teeth that partially erupt create a passageway that can become a magnet for bacteria that cause gum disease and oral infection.
• The tooth crowd nearby teeth. If wisdom teeth don’t have enough room to come in correctly, they may crowd or damage nearby teeth.

Signs Of Wisdom Tooth Issues

Many teens and adults develop wisdom tooth issues. Some signs that you need wisdom tooth removal are:

• Tenderness of the gums.
• Swelling and redness of the gums.
• Jaw pain around the wisdom teeth area.
• Sour taste in the mouth.
• Swelling of the jaw.
• Damage to nearby teeth.
• Headaches.
• Cysts or tumors.
• Gum disease.
• Persistent bad breath (halitosis).

What Happens If You Don’t Remove Wisdom Teeth?

1. Overcrowding

Patients with smaller mouths and jaws may suffer from overcrowding of wisdom teeth. Your teeth begin to shift and get overlapped. It prevents the third molars from erupting beneath the gums. Overcrowding teeth lead to poor oral hygiene.

2. Impacted Wisdom Tooth

Wisdom teeth are impacted when they are trapped beneath your gums. They become painful and lead to the reabsorption of healthy teeth. Impacted teeth become prone to infection and decay.

If not monitored continuously, a wisdom tooth can grow parallel to the jawline. They can also shift backward and interfere with the opening and closing of the jaw.

3. Potential For Decay

The location of the wisdom tooth makes it difficult to take care of. This leads to the growth of more bacteria and, eventually, infection. If left untreated for too long, the impacted tooth can be subjected to gum disease, bone damage, and jaw misalignment. Decay can lead to the formation of cysts. 

The Bottom Line

Wisdom tooth extraction is a common dental surgery. The dentist will check your mouth and determine if you need surgery. In many cases, you must wait months before deciding if the tooth needs to be removed. While surgery may not be the best way to spend your day, it is best to remove your wisdom tooth if it causes too many problems.