When Do You Need to Remove Your Wisdom Teeth?

By Dr.Muendo. J, Dental Surgeon- Molars Dental  

The chances are that you or someone you know personally has had their wisdom teeth removed. And, if your experiences have been anything like my own, not a lot of people have very positive things to say about the procedure!

You might be wondering, “Do wisdom teeth have to be removed?” The truth of vthe matter is that almost everyone has to undergo the procedure. Some people, however, never have to get these teeth taken out. There are ways you can tell if they really need to be removed or not.

What Are Your Wisdom Teeth?

So what exactly are your wisdom teeth?

These teeth are the very last of your teeth to grow in and break through your gums. They are located the furthest back inside of your mouth, and there are four of them. There is one on the top and one on the bottom on both sides of your mouth.

The actual age that your wisdom teeth finally grow in can vary greatly, but they usually first start forming in your teen years. By the time you’re in your late teens, the crowns of your the teeth usually start to erupt through your gums, if there’s enough room for them to do so.

By the time you reach your mid-twenties, these teeth are usually either completely erupted through your gums or they become what is called “impacted.”

If your wisdom teeth are positioned properly and totally healthy, they can actually be a pretty valuable asset to your mouth. However, more often than not, they usually end up causing a lot of people more hassle than help.

When your wisdom teeth erupt through your gums, they often cause a dental condition called “crowding,” which, for a lot of people, can lead to abnormal development.

There are a couple of different degrees of wisdom teeth impaction. In some cases, they can be partially impacted. This condition occurs when part of their crown is actually showing through the gums. In other cases, they can be what’s called “fully” impacted. This condition occurs when they have never actually broken through your gum line.

How to Tell If You Need Your Wisdom Teeth Removed

Whenever your wisdom teeth are partially or fully impacted, there is always a risk of developing dental complications. These dental complications caused by impacted teeth can initially begin with symptoms like mild pain and bleeding gums.

However, if these wisdom teeth symptoms remain untreated, they can eventually lead to and/or develop into the following dental issues:

• Damaging adjacent teeth
• Tooth and/or gum disease(periodontal diseases)
• Oral cyst development

Now, not everyone has impacted wisdom teeth. And although it’s common for experts to recommend that you have them extracted early on even if you have not yet had any problems with them, if you do not have any symptoms, only a dental office visit can determine if you truly need an extraction.

However, if you do have issues, your teeth are most likely impacted and the question becomes, “Should I get my wisdom teeth removed?” If you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms, the answer to that question might be yes:

• Tenderness and/or pain in the back of your mouth close to your gums
• Chewing difficulties
• Reddening of area where your tooth surfaces
• Headaches
• Swelling of your jaw
• A persistent bad taste in your mouth
• Red, tender, swollen, and/or bleeding gums
• Unpleasant odor on your breath

How to Tell If Your Wisdom Teeth are Coming In

A common question for teens and young adults is, “How do I know if I have wisdom teeth?”

For starters, these teeth usually come in in one’s late teens or early 20s. If you’re younger than that or well past your early 20s, the chances are that you don’t have wisdom teeth.

It’s easy to tell if your wisdom teeth are coming in, though. Look for the following signs:

• Irritated gums at the back of your mouth, including redness
• Frequent pain in the back of your jaw
• Frequent biting of the tongue or cheek due to a lack of space in your mouth once the new teeth have erupted
• Pain in the jaw, eyes, or ears, especially at night

Now that you are aware of the signs and symptoms that you may need to have your wisdom teeth extracted, contact us at 0751 856900 to schedule an appointment.

1. Am I Too Old for Braces?

Braces are used as to correct bite problems and tooth misalignment, whether it is due to gaps, overcrowding or a variety of other dental issues. Most of the population identifies braces as an orthodontic treatment that is often completed during late childhood and early teen years. However, braces can be used by patients of all ages. You are never too old to have braces.

While it is recommended to get orthodontic treatment in childhood and adolescence, it is not always accessible at this age depending on the individuals given situation. Some patients may not be able to get braces until later in life, which is completely okay. Thanks to modern dentistry, there are now other orthodontic methods that can be used to correct the same imperfections as traditional metal braces without them being visible or uncomfortable. These methods include Invisalign or ceramic braces which are all offered by our dentists at Molars Dental

If you would like to know more information about braces or other orthodontic treatments offered by our dentists, please feel free to contact any one of our offices. Remember, there is no age limit for braces, and you are never too old to get the smile you deserve.