Two wisdom teeth are located on each side of your mouth, directly behind your second molars (also known as premolars). Since they’re usually the last teeth to develop in your mouth, many people will have them removed once they reach adulthood, especially if they’re impacted or not positioned correctly. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), most Americans have their wisdom teeth removed by age 32; however, it can be done at any time if needed.
What Is a Wisdom Tooth?
Wisdom teeth are more commonly known as your third molars. As one of your final sets of teeth, wisdom teeth grow in between your second and third molars—that is, behind your second molars but in front of your third molars. Unfortunately, many people don’t develop enough room for their wisdom teeth and they can become impacted or broken. If you have questions about a wisdom tooth or if you need to schedule an appointment, contact us today. Our dentists are here to help!
Diagnosis and Treatment Plans
First, it’s important to determine if you actually have a broken wisdom tooth. Many symptoms may seem like they stem from something else entirely. For example, if you find yourself suffering from sensitivity in one of your teeth, you may assume that your tooth is damaged or even decaying. However, it could also be a symptom of an impacted wisdom tooth. If after consulting with your dentist and an X-ray reveals that there’s nothing wrong with your molars (wisdom teeth), then there’s no need for extraction.
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Dentists typically recommend that your wisdom teeth be removed if you have overcrowding in your mouth, cavities, and other problems with your existing teeth or jaw. However, it is not uncommon for patients to want their wisdom teeth removed even when there are no issues with their existing teeth. That’s because wisdom teeth often develop in an odd way and growing them can cause problems like crowding in your mouth as well as broken, chipped or infected teeth. In most cases having all four of your wisdom teeth removed will help keep you from needing more dental work later on down the road. According to some studies about half of people who have all four of their wisdom teeth removed will experience some type of oral health complication in their lifetime compared to those who just leave them alone.
Wisdom Teeth Removal Before Age 30
Getting wisdom teeth removed before age 30 is rare, but you can still do it. Your wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, usually erupt around ages 17-25 years old. However, your oral health care professional may recommend removal before that time. If your wisdom teeth are impacted or otherwise not causing problems, you might want to wait until after age 30 because of risks that include: infection, jawbone loss and damage to other teeth in your mouth. After age 30 most people don’t have any medical problems from their wisdom teeth and if they do it’s usually minor issues such as gum tissue swelling or sensitivity which can be easily treated by a dentist.
Why Not Just Extraction?
Our patients often ask us, Why can’t I just have my wisdom teeth removed? It’s an understandable question. After all, having your wisdom teeth removed is actually pretty common: about 50% of people who live in developed countries like the United States will get their wisdom teeth extracted at some point in their life. And that makes sense; after all, when your wisdom teeth are bothering you and causing you pain, it seems logical to get them out. But wisdom tooth extraction isn’t as simple as it sounds (or looks). It requires anesthesia, has a high risk of complications, and comes with risks ranging from headaches to nerve damage.
Post-Removal Care Tips
Once your wisdom teeth have been removed, it’s important to take good care of your mouth so you can ensure a speedy recovery. While many people experience mild swelling and pain after surgery, if you experience any more serious issues that don’t go away on their own in 24-48 hours—such as excessive bleeding or fever—it’s crucial that you call your dentist immediately. To help keep everything from getting infected post-surgery, here are three key things to keep in mind: Take antibiotics as directed and when necessary: If your dentist or oral surgeon prescribes you antibiotics after surgery, follow his or her instructions precisely. Antibiotics reduce your risk of infection and could help prevent further complications down the road.
What About My Other Teeth?
If you’re not careful, you could damage nearby teeth if you get careless with an extraction. Even if it’s only your wisdom tooth that’s broken, if it’s causing pain or crowding other teeth in your mouth, schedule an appointment with our family dentist to have it removed. If there are other teeth involved, such as adjacent molars, leave nothing to chance and take care of them all at once—it’ll be much easier on you (and less expensive) than having multiple visits. If possible, avoid going on hold with any dental work—that means scheduling a consultation and follow-up visits as soon as possible so that we can get started right away.
At What Age Should I Remove My Wisdom Teeth?
Wisdom teeth are often extracted for aesthetic reasons or because of crowding, and sometimes they are removed if they are damaged. But removing wisdom teeth usually isn’t necessary—only about 10% of people need them removed. That said, we all want our smile to be as healthy as possible, so it’s good to know what signs could lead you toward wisdom tooth removal. On average, most adults get their wisdom teeth by age 17; however, some people can have them emerge much later in life. The main factors that determine when your wisdom teeth will come in is how crowded your mouth is and how big your jaw is overall.
Impact on Overall Oral Health and Quality of Life
Wisdom teeth can be impacted and fail to break through properly because of crowding or space issues. Impacted wisdom teeth can lead to serious oral health problems, including infection, pain, and even loss of your wisdom teeth. If you think your wisdom tooth is broken, visit an emergency dentist near you right away. A broken tooth will not heal itself; if it's ignored for too long, it could result in further damage—to your mouth and wallet.
Contraindications to Wisdom Teeth Removal
There are situations where wisdom teeth removal should not take place. In some cases, there is not enough room in your mouth for all four of your wisdom teeth or there may be other issues. It’s vital that you consult with your dentist before having any procedure done. Here are some indications why wisdom teeth removal is discouraged: Your jaws are too small or crowded to accommodate their growth – This can cause headaches and infections, so it’s advised that you don’t remove wisdom teeth if they’re not protruding from under your gums.
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