When Do We Need to Remove Wisdom Teeth?
Wisdom teeth, the third molars that grows in the very back of your mouth between the age of 18—25 may not need to be removed if they are healthy, grown in completely (fully erupted), positioned correctly and biting properly with their opposing teeth, and they can be cleaned properly on a daily bases.
Those teeth however, may NEED to be removed if they cause damage to the adjacent teeth, cavities and inflamed swollen gums with pain and discomfort, or if they're affecting the alignment of the dentition and causing crowding.
What if they have grown in and don’t hurt?
If this is the case, the decision is up to you. Wisdom teeth that cause minimal crowding and don’t hurt are fine to keep, but a lot of dentists will recommend that they be removed. Why? They are very susceptible to cavities and are not easy to clean. If your wisdom teeth have cavities and you cannot clean them due to their location, filling the cavities is unwise because you’ll continue to develop more cavities. The easiest way to avoid this problem is to remove the wisdom teeth altogether.
When should you get your wisdom teeth removed?
There is no “correct age” for wisdom tooth removal. Some people get their wisdom teeth at a young age, while some others get them in adulthood. But if you need to remove wisdom teeth, it would be better to take them out younger because the healing process would be a bit quicker. However, if you’re in your 40s with all your wisdom teeth and they cause no oral health complications, taking them out is not necessary.
Is wisdom tooth removal painful?
No, it shouldn’t be. With proper anesthesia, you should only feel pressure/pushing, not pain. If you do feel any sort of “sharpness”, or pain, let your dentist know that you’re not fully numb. However, there are many different variables to consider for every patient. Be sure to do your research on wisdom tooth removal surgery well in advance to be prepared with questions for your doctor.
Some people don’t have wisdom teeth
Don’t worry if you don’t have wisdom teeth. Some people just don’t grow them.