Wisdom teeth and the risk of gum disease
If you have impacted wisdom teeth, your dentist or oral surgeon may recommend extraction as the best long-term treatment option. This is due, in part, to the role impacted wisdom teeth play in gum disease. Even if your impacted wisdom teeth are not bothering you, extracting them as a precautionary measure is often your safest bet for avoiding future complications.
Why do impacted wisdom teeth cause gum disease?
Wisdom teeth are located at the back of your mouth. When they are impacted, it is very difficult to keep this area clean of bacteria, even with proper brushing, flossing, and rinsing. The longer this bacteria remains in your mouth, the more likely it is that you will develop one or more kinds of gum disease.
Can Wisdom Teeth Cause Gingivitis?
Yes, impacted wisdom teeth can gingivitis and another gum disease called pericoronitis.
Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gum tissue caused by plaque. Plaque is a sticky film that builds up on teeth and contains bacteria. Too much plaque can produce toxins that irritate the gums.
Pericoronitis is a condition often instigated by gum tissue growing over a wisdom tooth that has become impacted and cannot fully erupt. Pericoronitis is an inflammation of this gum tissue.
Related problems
In addition to the risk of gingivitis and other gum disease, impacted wisdom teeth can also lead to the following oral health concerns:
- Infections and abscesses
- Cysts
- Discomfort
- Tooth decay
- Damage to surrounding teeth
- Surrounding teeth moving out of alignment
Wisdom tooth extraction
Wisdom tooth extraction is a common procedure that will eliminate the risk of gum disease from impaction. Typically, most impacted wisdom teeth will be extracted by an oral surgeon and not your dentist, depending on the position of your teeth and other factors. Wisdom tooth extraction is a common and safe procedure, and depending on the severity of your gum disease, you may need all of your wisdom teeth extracted. Having all 4 wisdom teeth removed at the same time is advantageous and minimizes the need for multiple surgeries and anesthesia sessions, which can actually reduce overall recovery time and stress for our patients.
Although all patients are unique, wisdom tooth recovery time is generally about a week.
The Leading Oral Surgeons Serving NJ & NY
For more than 70 years, Bergen Oral Surgery has provided the very best oral surgery services for NJ and NY patients, with a long-standing reputation for expertise, exceptional patient care, and deep community roots. Many of our doctors maintain hospital affiliations in both NJ and NY and continue to share their expertise by educating their peers on the latest advancements in oral surgery.
We are here to answer any and all questions and guide you through the process. We’ll continue to be available after your procedure, responding to any follow-up questions and ensuring your comfort and wellness through recovery and beyond.
Contact one of our 4 North Jersey oral surgery offices.
We look forward to connecting with you.
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