Many people think that having your wisdom teeth removed is something that is basically required at some point in your life. This is not, however, always the case. Many individuals can get away with not having their wisdom teeth removed if they are positioned in a way that allows for proper biting with the surrounding teeth.

At the same time, there are many cases where wisdom teeth removal is required to maintain the health and positioning of the rest of the teeth. Here’s a look at five signs that you may need to have your wisdom teeth removed by a dentist.

#1 – Excessive Pain

Excessive pain is one of the biggest signs that you should have teeth removed. It is usually pointing to the fact that a wisdom tooth may be cramping with one of your other teeth and preventing them from being positioned properly.

#2 – Infections

Infection is more common than most patients think when it comes to the areas around your wisdom tooth. A lot of times the positioning of your teeth makes it difficult to properly clean those areas of your mouth. This can also lead to food getting stuck in those areas and causing infections. An infection of the gums is also a common issue that requires the removal of those teeth.

#3 – Damage to Other Teeth

Another sign that you need your wisdom teeth removed is when they begin to damage other teeth. This usually happens due to a wisdom tooth pushing up against other teeth and causing infection, decay, or the inability to clean those teeth effectively.

#4 – Cysts

One of the main reasons that it is essential to keep an eye on your wisdom teeth is due to the possibility of cysts, and sometimes even tumors, developing when those teeth are impacted. This can cause some fairly serious complications and long term issues that you simply do not want to have to deal with.

#5 – Inability to Clean Properly

When a wisdom tooth is in a bad position, they become difficult to clean. While this may not seem like a huge issue initially, that tooth will eventually become a problem as it opens up the opportunity for infections and tooth decay to occur. Many dentists will also recommend removal when a certain tooth is affecting the ability to clean other teeth in the surrounding area.

As with all of these instances, you will only know for sure if you need your wisdom teeth removed if you talk to a dentist and get their recommendation. They will be able to give you an explanation about what will happen if you have your teeth removed as well as letting you know the consequences of not having them removed.
Generally speaking, there will be a clear recommendation made by your dentist depending on your unique situation. Overall, scheduling an appointment with your dentist is the only way to know for sure what you should do.