Wisdom Teeth Management

The Earlier, the Better: Why You’ll Want to Get Your Wisdom Teeth Out as Soon as They Start Bothering You

If you’re in your teens or twenties, you may have noticed that your wisdom teeth have started coming in. Also known as third molars, wisdom teeth start to emerge between the ages of 17 and 25 and are often removed for a variety of reasons. Although they were once useful to early humans, wisdom teeth generally no longer serve a useful purpose and can sometimes cause serious issues if they’re not removed. Here’s why you’ll want to get your wisdom teeth taken out sooner rather than later if they’ve started causing issues for you.

Pericoronitis is a kind of infection that can take root in your gums if you haven’t had your wisdom teeth removed. If your mouth is too small for your wisdom teeth, they may only partially erupt. This can cause your gum tissue to bend into a flap near one or more of your wisdom teeth. This flap is problematic because it creates an area where food and other debris can get caught and start to break down, giving bacteria a foothold in your mouth. Although it’s possible to treat the infection, pericoronitis may return until the wisdom tooth comes in fully. Removing the wisdom tooth is often the best way to prevent infections from returning.

If your wisdom teeth are facing the wrong way, they will come in sideways, backwards or crooked. This can cause you to feel pain, and it may also make proper brushing and flossing difficult. In most cases, your oral surgeon will be able to identify improperly oriented wisdom teeth via x-ray before they erupt. Some wisdom teeth never erupt, so your oral surgeon may decide that a “wait and see” approach is best. If your wisdom teeth are facing the wrong way and have already partially erupted, you’ll want to get them removed immediately.

Jaw sizes vary between people. Some patients have large enough jaws to accommodate fully developed wisdom teeth, while others do not. If you have a small jaw, your mouth may not have enough room for your wisdom teeth. This can cause problems such as pain, infection, and cysts. If this occurs, your dental surgeon will have to remove your wisdom teeth. It’s easiest to remove wisdom teeth as soon as you start noticing problems, which is why if you start having issues with them, you should contact your dental surgeon immediately.

A wisdom tooth extraction tends to be easier before the wisdom tooth is fully developed; the smaller root means the tooth isn’t as firmly attached and will come out easier. Wisdom teeth can also cause serious dental issues if left too long. Although some people never experience issues with their wisdom teeth, it’s critical that you have yours removed if they begin to cause problems. If you think you may need a wisdom tooth extraction, contact Lorton Oral Surgery today for an assessment.The Earlier, the Better: Why You’ll Want to Get Your Wisdom Teeth Out as Soon as They Start Bothering You