Do I Need My Wisdom Teeth to be Removed?

Wisdom teeth are the third molars in the very back of our mouths. They don’t always need to be removed and can stay in your mouth as long as they’re healthy, grown in completely, biting correctly, and are able to be cleaned as part of regular dental hygiene routine. However, many wisdom teeth turn out to be a nuisance. They can hurt your tooth alignment and even cause pain.

The decision to remove wisdom teeth isn\’t always black and white. You should never feel pain. So if you are experiencing pain or discomfort, it is probably time for your wisdom teeth to go. However, talk to your dentist about the position and health of your wisdom teeth and what\’s best for your situation – preferably before they cause you any trouble.

Therefore, wisdom teeth that don’t have room to grow properly and end up creating problems for your other teeth, need to be pulled. If you regularly see a dentist, your dentist will evaluate the situation and spot problems with your wisdom teeth before they arise through X-rays and scans of the mouth and jaw, which means you may not be experiencing any pain when your dentist recommends a wisdom tooth extraction.

Wisdom teeth that erupt can grow in at strange angles, sometimes horizontally and may lead to a variety of more serious problems such as:

• Staying completely hidden inside the jaw, becoming impacted. Impacted wisdom teeth can sometimes have pathologies such as cysts, and tumors
• Only emerging partly through the gums, creating a passageway for bacteria. Because of the wisdom teeth being hard to reach as a part of everyday cleaning, a partially emerged wisdom tooth allows for bacteria to grow, increasing chances of gum disease or infection.
• Your mouth is too small. If wisdom teeth don’t have the proper amount of space when they emerge, they may crowd or damage other teeth.
• Wisdom teeth are hard to keep clean and cause cavities that cannot be restored.

When should I get my Wisdom Teeth pulled?

Most people will have their wisdom teeth pulled in their teens. Removing the teeth at a younger age before the roots are fully formed make for an easier surgery and recovery. Most patients who have their wisdom teeth extracted are not yet experiencing any negative side effects of wisdom teeth and are having them extracted as a preventative measure.

If you choose to postpone your wisdom tooth removal, you should see a dentist as soon as you begin experiencing changes in your teeth or bite alignment.

Talk to your dentist about the position and health of your wisdom teeth and together you can determine a solution that’s best for you.

Does A Wisdom Tooth Extraction Hurt?

There are many forms of anesthesia available including sedation. You shouldn\’t feel any pain as your wisdom teeth are removed because your dentist will numb the area. However, if you do feel pain during the extraction, tell your dentist  so he/she can evaluate the situation and possibly give you more anesthetic. In severe cases, some people go to the oral surgeon to have their wisdom teeth removed under general anesthesia. We understand many people experience anxiety especially during extraction procedures, but we assure you that Dr. Wheatley and his team will do everything in their power to make your extraction as easy on you as possible.

Schedule a consultation with your dentist before your wisdom teeth affect you negatively. Knowledge is power and may even take away from some of the anxiety you may feel. Once you realize it won\’t be as bad as you had imagined, you will feel a lot more comfortable scheduling your wisdom tooth extraction.