Wisdom teeth usually appear sometime between the mid-teen years and a person’s mid to late-twenties. This final set of molars is the last to develop, and is usually referred to as the “wisdom teeth,” because of how much older a person is once they finally come in.
Although wisdom teeth don’t always need to be extracted, that’s not the case for everyone. In some cases, pulling them can make it easier for you to enjoy a straighter, healthier smile.
Your dentist may recommend wisdom tooth extraction if they are:
Infected, decayed, or causing pain
Crowding the other teeth
Impacted against adjacent teeth
Proactively removing your wisdom teeth can help you avoid unnecessary problems like tooth decay or crooked teeth later on.
What if They Don’t Hurt?
“If it doesn’t hurt, I don’t want to do anything about it.”
When it comes to your wisdom teeth, pain may come and go, or be completely absent. Unfortunately, that doesn’t always mean that everything is perfectly healthy. In many individuals, our jaws are too short for the wisdom teeth to fully erupt. This causes the tooth to only be partially-erupted, or wedged into the next tooth.
A partially erupted wisdom tooth allows food and plaque to build up under the gum flap around the tooth and can’t be cleaned with a toothbrush. This causes cavities and gum disease around the wisdom tooth—as well as the healthy tooth next to it. Removing the wisdom tooth is a small sacrifice when it comes to keeping the rest of your smile free of dental diseases.
Your Wisdom Tooth Exam
Your wisdom tooth exam will consist of a private consultation, followed by a panoramic x-ray to assess the development of your jaws and teeth. Depending on how your wisdom teeth are arranged next to the other teeth, and if there is not enough room for them to erupt properly into your mouth, it may be best to proactively remove them.
Keeping You Comfortable During Your Procedure
There’s no need to feel worried about having your wisdom teeth pulled. Choose a dental surgeon licensed to offer the proper sedation options (up to and including general anesthesia) that allow you to “nap” right through the entire visit. The surgery will be over before you even realized what happened. Sedation not only helps you relax; it also makes it possible for your dentist to work more efficiently. And, of course, your safety is always the top priority!
Are you or your teen beginning to experience swelling, discomfort, or other symptoms related to wisdom teeth? Call your dentist today. Don’t suffer the pain or risk even bigger dental problems down the road. In many cases, getting your wisdom teeth removed is, indeed, a wise choice.
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