Wisdom Teeth FAQ
At adentaloffice.com, we are frequently asked about wisdom teeth. Your wisdom teeth are the 3rd and final set of molars to erupt, and they typically begin to appear during the late teens to early twenties. They are also the most commonly missing teeth. Generally, people have 4 wisdom teeth, but it is possible to have fewer or even none. If your 3rd molars are unable to erupt normally, they can become trapped growing at various angles in the jaw.
Wisdom teeth could cause problems later on as they are likely to have issues more than any other teeth. If the tooth is partially erupted it can be difficult to clean creating an area for bacteria to fester, causing gum disease or oral infection. Sometimes the tooth is actually horizontal under the gums and can destroy nearby teeth by eating away at the roots. As the tooth is forming a sac of tissue around the toothcan grow into a cyst which can also lead to bone loss in the jaw.
Often it is recommended to have wisdom teeth removed before they emerge at a younger age and before the roots have fully formed. The bone is also less dense and the teeth are easier to remove making healing typically faster.
With signs of disease or problems wisdom teeth should come out.
❌ infection or cavities
❌ damage to adjacent teeth
❌ bone loss
❌ lesions
❌ lack of room to thoroughly brush and floss
It is important to be aware that not all impacted wisdom teeth show symptoms. You may have impactedwisdom teeth and not even know it.
Wisdom teeth may not need to be removed if they are:
✅ healthy
✅ easily cleaned with daily hygiene
✅ correctly positioned
✅ grown in completely
If you or someone you know has concerns about their wisdom teeth, we would be happy to arrange an exam for you. The best way to determine if you have impacted wisdom teeth and how they lie is to have an exam including x-rays.
If you are experiencing symptoms, the gum that is on top of the tooth may have become swollen or infected.These symptoms could include, but not be limited to, painfully swollen or bleeding gums, swelling in and around the jaw, bad breath, headaches and/or jaw aches, an unpleasant taste while eating, stiffness in the jaw area, and swollen lymph nodes. These can also be symptoms of other dental or medical conditions, so it is important to have it checked out rather than ignoring the issue.
Wisdom teeth are extracted to correct an actual problem or to prevent problems that may arise, therefore early intervention is key to preventing any symptoms or issues from impacted wisdom teeth.
Let us help! Give us a call if you have any questions or wish to schedule an appointment!
705-726-3567
