You’ve probably seen those funny viral videos of people who’ve recently gotten their wisdom teeth removed, saying crazy things while they’re still coming out of the fog of surgery. But wisdom teeth removal isn’t typically a laughing matter. Any time you’re considering oral surgery, you should listen to your dentist and discuss the pros and cons of moving forward.
The fact is that not everyone who has wisdom teeth will have to get them removed. But if you are a candidate for removal, it’s best not to delay.
How do you know if you should get your wisdom teeth removed? Again, only your dentist can give you their expert medical opinion. But here are some things you should know about wisdom teeth to help prepare you for that dental appointment.
What Are Wisdom Teeth?
Your wisdom teeth are your third set of molars that erupt typically between the ages of 17 and 25.
The term “tooth eruption” can sound scary, but it’s actually just the technical term for when your teeth become visible in your mouth. starts when you’re about six months old with your first baby teeth and continues during childhood until your last permanent or adult tooth erupts, usually around the age of 12. Then, for some people, tooth eruption continues with the arrival of your wisdom teeth in your late teens or early twenties.
Why Is Wisdom Teeth Removal Necessary?
Isn’t it strange that most people naturally grow a certain set of teeth that typically have to be removed? Shouldn’t wisdom teeth serve some sort of purpose?
The is that early humans needed those extra teeth to thoroughly chew a diet of tough or uncooked foods such as roots, nuts, and meat. Over thousands of years, human mouths have become smaller as our diets have become more palatable. Nowadays, most people’s mouths simply don’t have the space to accommodate an extra set of molars.
That’s why wisdom teeth removal is necessary today. Because most of us don’t have room for wisdom teeth in our mouths, they can often come in crooked or they can be impacted. If your wisdom teeth are impacted, it simply means they are trapped in your jaw or gums.
Signs You May Need Wisdom Teeth Removal
Our dentists may recommend removing your wisdom teeth before they’ve even erupted. That’s why it’s important to schedule regular teeth cleanings. By coming into the office regularly, our dentists can monitor the progress of your wisdom teeth and determine if they need to be removed. that removal may be necessary include:
- Wrong Position: If your wisdom teeth erupt in the wrong position, it’s easier for food to get trapped, and it can make it difficult for you to floss between your wisdom teeth and other molars. Both make it more likely for bacteria to grow and put you at greater risk for tooth decay and gum disease.
- Risk of Being Impacted: If it looks like your wisdom teeth will be impacted, our dentists will highly recommend removal before things get worse. One reason is because cysts can form on impacted teeth, damaging not just your wisdom teeth, but other nearby molars as well.
- Partial Eruption: If your teeth have only partially erupted, that can create an area for bacteria to enter your gums, causing an infection.
- Lack of Space: Even if your wisdom teeth are coming in straight, there may not be enough room in your mouth to accommodate them. Your wisdom teeth may push your other teeth out of alignment, requiring more dental care to save your smile.
Request an Appointment Today
Unsure if you have wisdom teeth, or worried they might not be coming in correctly? Regular dental check-ups are the key to staying on top of the development of your wisdom teeth so our Wyoming, MI, dentists can act before the situation becomes more difficult to fix. Call Pro Family Dentistry at (616) 534-5602 today or contact us online to request an appointment.