What makes wisdom teeth more vulnerable to infection?
According to Rafetto, the front teeth are better protected by gum tissue, which surrounds them like “a tight turtleneck collar.” That keeps bacteria from getting under the gum line easily. The wisdom teeth, however, are surrounded by gum tissue that Rafetto likens to a “boat-neck collar,” which allows more bacteria to get under the gum line and cause infection. Because it’s harder to clean and floss between back teeth, they could harbor plaque and bacteria that could ultimately decay the teeth around them, including those in the front, Rafetto says. How are wisdom teeth removed?This depends on how deeply embedded in the jawbone your wisdom teeth are. Some impacted teeth are blocked by the gum from erupting, while others are partially encased in bone. In the past, wisdom teeth were removed in a hospital with the patient under general anesthesia; today wisdom teeth are almost always removed in an office setting by an oral or maxillofacial surgeon. If yours need to be extracted, you’ll be
