Can leaving your wisdom teeth in cause jaw problems?

It can but depends: Many people don't have the room in their mouth for wisdom teeth and sometimes removing them is necessary if they will cause problems from being impacted. If someone has the room they need to be vigilant in cleaning them and seeking regular dental care because if they get decayed they can be difficult to restore. Keeping them increases risk for gum disease and TMJ problems if the bite is not right.

Oftentimes: Most of us don't have room for our wisdom teeth. Because of that, many problems can occur. Pericoronitis, cysts, even cancers, can be the result. By age20 , you should have x- rays taken to determine if they need extraction.

Depends: A wisdom tooth can result in jaw problems if not monitored and treatment provided if there is a potential for problems. Impacted wisdom teeth can have associated cysts that can cause bone loss and problems with adjacent teeth. They can also cause bite related problems, periodontal problems and decay in adjacent teeth.

Yes: Yes, every case is different. The best way to find out your situation is to make an appointment with a board certified oral & maxillofacial surgeon who can examine you and give you your best options.