Dentists regularly field questions about wisdom teeth from patients and young patients’ parents. If you are approaching the age when extracting these teeth is common, you may be curious as well. There are a lot of reasons why dental professionals recommend removing these molars. As you understand more about these teeth, you may realize why removing them is so critical for your smile and oral health.
Dentists recommend that people have their third molars removed in the late-teen to early 20s range. The dentist will take X-rays and do an examination. The dentist will explain how the process works. The patient should be familiar with the process before going in for the surgery.
On the day of the surgery, the patient should come into the office with someone else. The dentist will either numb the mouth with a local anesthetic or put the patient to sleep with general anesthesia. The dentist then cuts into the gum and removes the bone surrounding the tooth. The dentist will break the tooth into pieces and remove them. After controlling any bleeding, the dentist closes the incision wound and lets the patient recover upon waking up.
A few years to several years after the second set of molars emerge, the wisdom teeth will erupt. These third molars can break through the gums between the ages of 17 and 25. Many patients will have two molars on top and two on the bottom. Some people, however, may not have any or may have three, two, or one of these teeth.
In ancient times and distant centuries, humans had a different diet. Eating roots, leaves, and tough meat was common. In the modern era, people have developed different ways of cooking food to make it softer. Diets have changed as well. As a result, the need for a third set of molars has declined, making wisdom teeth unnecessary for chewing.
For many people, there is not much space in the back of the mouth for wisdom teeth. Consequently, these molars may erupt crooked-looking. The teeth may be misaligned or misshapen. They often come in at odd angles or look twisted, ruining what may have been an attractive smile.
Removing wisdom teeth for health reasons is a significant factor in the decision to have surgery. These teeth are prone to suffering or causing tooth decay, gum disease, and infections. The third molars may also damage nearby teeth due to overcrowding. Cysts and tumors around these molars can also be a concern.
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Your dentist will closely monitor how your wisdom teeth are developing. If the dentist spots any concerns, you should consider removing the wisdom teeth. As you learn more about these teeth and the challenges they can present, you will feel comfortable getting them out. It is clear to see why this might be the correct decision.
Request an appointment or call Wilson Oral Surgery at 805-476-2567 for an appointment in our Arroyo Grande office.
Unlike other teeth, wisdom teeth do not show up until you are around age 20. Some people get them as early as age 17, while other people may not see them erupt until age 25. In either case, these third molars can cause troubling issues cosmetically and for your oral health. Your dentist will examine…
If your wisdom teeth are coming in or are already impacted, you should talk to your dentist about removing them. Many patients have them extracted to avoid oral health problems such as infections or cysts. Gum disease is also common for people whose wisdom teeth are impacted. It is important for you to understand why…
Many dentists recommend that patients have their wisdom teeth, or the third set of molars, extracted during the teenage years. Wisdom teeth extraction is often recommended for patients whose teeth have been impacted or are causing problems such as crowding, gum inflammation, or pain in the mouth. Extraction can prevent complications for the gums, teeth,…