The last set of teeth to develop are the third molars. As such, you will find them at the back of the mouth, and for most people, they come in during early adulthood. On the other hand, a few people never develop them. That said, their eruption can be problematic, which is why many people have to remove them at a certain point in their lifetimes. Alternatively, you can keep wisdom teeth if they're healthy, have erupted through the gum, have correct positioning, and the general dentist can clean them during a visit. Here are some circumstances where you might have to remove them ASAP.

Inflammation and Pain

Pain is one of the common reasons why people decide to have their molars removed. In most cases, the discomfort starts small and grows over time. As such, you might ignore it or treat it with over-the-counter painkillers. However, this will only worsen as the tooth becomes ingrown. More importantly, pay attention to where the pain is coming from. If it's coming from the back of the mouth, the cause could be erupting third molars.

Damage and Sensitivity in the Jawbone

All teeth are rooted in the jawbone and move through the gum before they erupt. So, if your mouth doesn't have enough space for the teeth to form, they might become impacted, or encroach onto the path of the other molars. In most cases, the damage caused to the jawbone and the gums can make you change your chewing pattern, mouth movement, and function. Also, you might experience extreme pain when trying to open and close your mouth.

Problems Affecting the Sinuses

Problems at the third molars will eventually spill over to the sinuses. Note that an impacted molar can cause a bacterial infection and result in an abscess inside the gum. Ultimately, the inflammation makes gums red and very sensitive. Even worse, you will have a hard time chewing food when dealing with impaction. It is also more common for problems with the upper third molars to affect the sinuses. Further, any inflammation in the gums close to the area will spread since the teeth erupt close to the sinuses. Ultimately, treating recurrent sinus infections may get tedious, so dentists might recommend extracting the last molars to protect the rest of the mouth.

Speak to a general dentistry expert about any issues you might have with your last molars. Proper tests like X-rays and other imaging helps detect the problem. This way, your dentist can help you determine whether it's time to extract your problematic molars or if there's another way to deal with them. For more information, contact a company like Mark A. Massa, DDS, Inc.