Your dentist will help you to decide if and when you need to have your wisdom teeth pulled. When there is not enough room for wisdom teeth to grow in several problems can occur. The most common problem is tooth decay. The area around the wisdom tooth is the hardest part to reach with a toothbrush. Because of this, food and bacteria can gather around the tooth causing decay either with the wisdom tooth or other teeth around it.

Once decay sets in, wisdom tooth pain will soon follow. Other problems resulting from ingrown wisdom teeth include gum infection, pain from a wisdom tooth growing against other teeth, and the formation of a cyst inside the mouth. Even if you go years without having any noticeable problems from wisdom teeth, they are sure to develop over a period of time. In many instances, wisdom teeth grow in a horizontal or angular position. When this happens the mouth becomes overcrowded and some teeth can become crooked.

Without a wisdom tooth extraction, the need for braces increases. Since wisdom teeth are hard to brush and floss, bacteria buildup can lead to a cavity in the tooth. If the cavity is not repaired or the tooth is not removed, the cavity can spread to other places in the mouth leading to damage to the supporting tooth structures. As age increases, it will become more difficult to remove wisdom teeth from the mouth. This is due in part to a breakdown in the body’s healing process over a period of time. The best time for a wisdom tooth extraction is between the ages of 14 and 20.