An Education on Wisdom Teeth and Gum Disease

There are several problems that are often associated with impacted wisdom teeth (or third molars), the most prominent of which may be the discomfort that they cause. Though not everyone will have to deal with wisdom tooth impaction, those who do may only find reprieve by extracting the extraneous molars. However, discomfort is not the only issue that can arise from impacted wisdom teeth—if not removed, they can also significantly increase your risks of periodontal disease, which can lead to irreversible damage to the supportive structures of your teeth.

The Deal with Wisdom Teeth

Third molars are the last set of teeth to erupt on your gum line, usually arriving between the ages of 17 and 25. By that time, you will have already grown all of your other adult teeth, and often, there is little room left on your dental ridge to accommodate the wisdom teeth. Because of the lack of room, wisdom teeth can become constricted, or impacted, by the molars at the end of your gums, causing them to only partially erupt from your gums, or to erupt at all.

Wisdom Tooth Impaction and Gum Disease

When a wisdom tooth only partially erupts from your gums, the tissue cannot effectively create a seal around the tooth, as it was meant to. Instead, the tooth’s odd angle can create spaces between the tooth and your gums, allowing bacteria and plaque to accumulate underneath the gum tissues. This periodontal invasion can quicken an infection in your gums, making impacted wisdom teeth a major risk factor for periodontal disease.

How to Restore Your Smile

If your wisdom teeth are impacted, then extracting them may be the first step in restoring your good oral health. Once the obstruction is removed, we can perform specialized periodontal treatment to restore your periodontal health. Using advanced laser periodontal treatment, we can address most cases of gum disease quickly and effectively, without the need for surgery, and help you maintain your periodontal health with continued professional care.

ABOUT YOUR SAN DIEGO LASER PERIODONTIST:

To learn how to keep your teeth and gums healthy for life, subscribe to this blog, and visit Dr. Kania for a consultation. As a board-certified periodontist, Dr. Ann Kania is specially qualified to diagnose and treat issues concerning periodontal tissue and the supportive structures of a patient’s smile, as well as place dental implants to restore teeth lost to dental disease or trauma. To seek Dr. Kania’s expertise, visit our office or contact us today at (760) 642-0711.