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When you were in your teens or early 20s, your wisdom teeth erupted, and chances are you then had them removed by a trusted dentist before they caused problems. If so, you’re probably wondering why your child should have theirs removed as part of their routine pediatric dental care. The truth is, preemptive wisdom tooth removal is an important part of pediatric dentistry, and below is more information on why.

Impaction

dentistIf a wisdom tooth begins to erupt but isn’t able to push through, not having it removed will lead to an impacted tooth. A tooth becomes impacted when it’s not able to fully emerge from the gums, usually because it’s coming in at an angle or the space is too small for it to fit. While some teeth can become impacted and pose no issue, most impacted teeth present with a variety of unpleasant symptoms. These can range from being as minor as minimal discomfort to as serious as chronic headaches, difficulty fully opening your mouth, and swelling. Removing wisdom teeth before they can become impacted prevents this painful and inconvenient condition, and it’s a simpler procedure than trying to wrestle a tooth out that’s been lodged in place and stuck in bone for a while.

Future Dental Health

Even if there are no symptoms when the wisdom tooth first becomes impacted, it will show symptoms and cause problems later on. Partially erupted teeth make cleaning difficult, as it allows food particles to become trapped, which increases the risk of developing an infection or cavity at some point. Beyond this, an untreated, impacted tooth applies consistent pressure to the tooth beside it as it tries to force its way in. Over time, this causes the teeth to shift and become overcrowded. This can push your child’s teeth out of alignment badly enough that their smile will become crooked, affecting not only aesthetic appearance but their ability to eat and speak effectively. If these issues do occur, then a dentist can remove the offending tooth, but this process becomes significantly more difficult with age, as the jaw bone loses its flexibility and softness.

 

For expert pediatric dental care offered by a licensed and friendly dentist, contact Bert E. Bathiany IV, DMD in Florence, KY. With a second location in Fort Thomas, they provide comprehensive pediatric dentistry services to a wide area, and they accept almost all major dental insurances. Focused on prevention and patient education, this fun pediatric dentist will make sure your child receives exceptional care in a friendly and soothing environment. View their gallery on their website to get a sense of the atmosphere, then call (859) 525-2100 to schedule a pediatric dental care appointment today.

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