Do I Really Need to Have My Wisdom Teeth Removed?

Wisdom teeth are the third and last set of molars that grow during the earlier stage of human development. However, today, thanks to advanced oral care and hygiene, they are merely obsolete since our molars are all that are necessary. Most issues with wisdom teeth happen when a person is between 15 and 25 years old, and very few people older than 30 experience problems with them.

When is it a good idea to have your wisdom teeth removed?

The decision about whether or not to have wisdom teeth pulled will mainly depend on whether they are already causing trouble or whether it is highly likely that they will in the future. There are a few things your dentist will look for when suggesting wisdom teeth extraction:

• Wisdom Teeth can sometimes cause pain and swelling as they erupt, if there is not enough space for them and become impacted.
• Wisdom Teeth that only emerge partially can be hard to clean, and are at a risk of gum disease and tooth decay.
• Wisdom Teeth can also cause alignment issues with your other teeth if there is not enough space for them to erupt. They can damage the adjacent teeth if not removed.
• A cyst may form around your new wisdom teeth. If they aren’t removed, they can hollow out your jaw and damage your nerves.
• If you experience pain while chewing your food, this may be one of the signs you need to remove your wisdom teeth.

How do you know when there’s a problem with your wisdom teeth?

Pain in the upper or lower jaw can often be the first sign that your wisdom teeth are causing problems. You may feel a sensation of pressure in the back of your mouth. Also, the gum tissue around the erupting wisdom tooth often becomes sensitive, swollen and inflamed. Some people do not experience any pain or swelling as their wisdom teeth erupt. However your regular visits to the dentist can identify if that is the case.

Wisdom Teeth Extraction at our Leduc dental office is a common oral surgery procedure.

Your dentist will discuss sedation options with you based on the complexity of your wisdom teeth extraction procedure. After the procedure, most people recover in three to four days, but it can take a couple of weeks for your gums to completely heal. Your dentist will provide you with detailed post-surgical instructions to ensure that you have no post-surgical complications.

If you have concerns about your wisdom teeth, contact us at our Leduc dental office and our dentists will be happy to help you with your wisdom teeth concerns.