Wisdom teeth can cause problems for even the most diligent oral caretakers. Since their arrival is regularly met with a litany of expected problems, dentists will often recommend for patients to have their wisdom teeth removed at the earliest development.

Part of the preventative care at Four Corners Dental Group, a family dentistry office in Anchorage and Wasilla, AK, is keeping an eye on incoming wisdom teeth to track if they will have enough room to come in and limit the damage they are able to do to surrounding teeth and the mouth.

Here are three common dental problems often caused by wisdom teeth and how your dentist can help solve them:

• Impacted Tooth: According to the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS), nine out of 10 dental patients will have at least one impacted wisdom tooth. This occurs when there isn’t enough room for the wisdom tooth to grow in, causing it to become positioned sideways or crooked in the jaw. If this occurs, the tooth won’t be able to erupt properly, which can cause crowding, improper bite alignment, pain, and infections. Most dentists will encourage patients to remove impacted wisdom teeth before they begin to erupt.
• Pericoronitis: If a wisdom tooth only partially erupts, this can leave a flap of gum around the tooth that can allow an opening for food and bacteria to enter and cause an infection. This is known as pericoronitis and can cause the gum tissue to become red and swollen. If the infection is allowed to spread, it can cause painful swelling in the tooth, jaw, and cheek. This should be immediately treated by a dentist who will prescribe antibiotics and possibly remove the gum flap.
• Gum Disease: Because of their location in the mouth, wisdom teeth are difficult to clean. This leaves them vulnerable to bacteria and eventual tooth decay and gum disease. If wisdom teeth are not causing any physical problems, the patient might decide to leave them in, but in these cases, it is important to maintain regular visits to the dentist for cleanings. They will be able to help you take care of these teeth, but if decay keeps occurring, they might still recommend for you to have them removed.

To find out if your wisdom teeth are going to cause any problems, schedule an appointment with Four Corners Dental Group today. Call the family dentistry office at (907) 258-3384. You can also learn more about their affordable dental care services by visiting them online, and to learn more dental tips, like them on Facebook for updates.