Wisdom teeth extraction becomes necessary when the wisdom teeth emerge out of alignment with the rest of the teeth, or when the wisdom teeth fail to erupt at all and become “impacted” between the jawbone and the gum tissue. This condition can lead to chronic pain and infection if left untreated.
Other reasons for wisdom tooth extraction include repeated bacterial infections in a partially emerged tooth. Sometimes a flap of soft tissue known as an operculum forms over the wisdom tooth, in which food particles can become trapped – leading to pericoronitis, a common infection in young adults with partially emerged wisdom teeth. Symptoms include swelling and redness in the gum, difficulty opening the mouth, a bad taste or odour and pain in the jaw or neck. Lack of treatment can lead to more serious infections.