According to the World Health Organization, oral diseases affect nearly 3.5 billion people globally. Furthermore, 10 percent of the world’s population is affected by periodontal disease (or gum disease), specifically.
If you’re among the millions of people affected by periodontal disease and untreated dental pain, an oral surgeon can likely help to address the root of your discomfort and eliminate your symptoms.
On the fence about seeing an oral surgeon? Read on to learn 5 ways that oral surgery specialists can improve your oral health.
1. You Need Wisdom Teeth Pulled
The human jaw doesn’t have enough space for the wisdom teeth (which grow at the back of the gums and are typically the last teeth to come through). Because of this, most people need to have their wisdom teeth removed at some point.
Most often, an oral surgeon handles this procedure. If you haven’t had your wisdom teeth removed already, you may want to reach out to an oral surgeon to see if you need to move forward with the removal process.
2. You Have Impacted Teeth
Impacted teeth are teeth that haven’t erupted through the gums. This usually happens because they’re blocked by another tooth. Impacted teeth can cause symptoms like dental pain, headaches, and an increased risk of gum disease, so it’s important to see an oral surgeon if you think you may be struggling with this issue.
3. You Need Corrective Surgery
Oral surgeons handle a variety of corrective surgeries, including surgeries related to correcting jaw misalignments.
If you’ve been told that your jaw is not properly aligned, you’ll need to see an oral surgeon and get it fixed. This can help you to avoid both cosmetic and functional issues later in life.
4. You Have TMJ Disease
The temporomandibular joint (or TMJ) connects the jaw bone to the skull. If it is inflamed or diseased in some way, you may have trouble carrying out basic behaviors like speaking and chewing.
An oral surgeon can get to the root of what’s causing these issues and perform surgery to correct them.
5. You Have Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea can often be caused or worsened by oral issues, such as an enlarged uvula. An oral surgeon can trim these tissues so there’s more room in the mouth and throat, making it easier for you to breathe while you’re asleep.
If you’re going to see an oral surgeon for sleep issues, start by searching “oral surgeon near me.” Then, look for someone who specializes in sleep apnea, as they will likely be better equipped to care for you and address your symptoms.
See an Oral Surgeon Today
From wisdom tooth extraction to combating severe gum disease, oral surgery specialists offer a wide range of services that can help you to improve your oral health.
Now that you know more about what they can do, are you more interested in working with one?
If so, check out some of the other dental health articles on our site today. They’ll help you find the best oral surgeon for the job and answer any remaining questions you might have.
