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New Brunswick Dental Society FAQs

Why are wisdom teeth often removed?

Many of us would assume extra teeth in our mouths would be helpful for chewing, however this is usually not the case. When the wisdom teeth appear they sometimes need to be removed as they are often impacted. This means that the jaw is not big enough to accommodate the extra teeth causing the wisdom teeth to push against the other teeth. Wisdom teeth may need to be extracted by a dentist if they are easy to remove or you may be referred to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon if extraction is difficult. When wisdom teeth only partially come through the gums, bacteria can enter around the teeth causing infection. Results can include pain swelling and illness. If impacted wisdom teeth continue to grow, other teeth may be forced to shift positions or suffer damage. Cysts or tumours may form from the pressure of wisdom teeth and damage the surrounding bone or tooth roots. If you are experiencing pain, continuously biting your cheek or having problems cleaning your wisdom teeth, discuss the matter with your dentist.