Wisdom teeth, otherwise known as the third molars, usually pop out and erupt by the time a person reaches between 17 and 24 years old. It’s quite common for people to hate it whenever their wisdom teeth starts to erupt. Not only is it always accompanied by pain, treatment requires an immediate trip to the dentist, which is another thing that a lot of people seem to dread.
That being said, it’s only fair for the average person to wonder if whether or not wisdom teeth always need to be removed.
Why Wisdom Teeth Need To Be Removed
Before we humans became civilized and learned to cook food, most of us were vegetarians and ate mostly plants, nuts, and seeds. Back then, humans were believed to have much larger jaws to accommodate the third molars, which were extremely useful back then. However, as our diets changed, our jaws evolved and began to shrink. And, these days, our jaws have much less room for the third molars. This often leads to the wisdom teeth growing up and erupting at an angle that prevents them from erupting properly.
When wisdom teeth are only partially emerged or come in crooked, also otherwise known as impacted, it can lead to painful crowding and misaligned teeth. Not only that but impacted wisdom teeth are also more prone to gum disease. Because of this, dental experts recommend that wisdom teeth be removed as soon as they erupt to prevent further complications. In fact, some even recommend having the wisdom teeth removed in advanced, well before any problems arise.
This does not mean, though, that all wisdom teeth are candidates for removal. Some people, for example, don’t really grow third molars at all, while others grow only one. And, for some reason, some people have no problems with their wisdom teeth crowding or impacting their teeth. In such cases, people are free to keep their wisdom teeth for as long as they want. Although extra care is recommended because they are pretty far back and are much more vulnerable to tooth decay as a result.
What To Expect From Wisdom Teeth Removal
Impacted wisdom teeth will have to be removed via surgery. What happens is that the oral surgeon cuts into the gums and removes the tooth or teeth in sections to help keep the amount of bone removed at a minimum. Afterward, ice packs and pain medications are prescribed to help ease the pain. Also, don’t worry, anesthesia is always used to make patients feel comfortable throughout the procedure.
Meanwhile, if the third molars erupt normally and not impacted, the surgeon will simply separate the gums from the tooth, lever the tooth around to loosen it from the socket, remove it and clean the area. It’s that simple.
To keep complications and pain at a minimum, many dentists and oral surgeons recommend that patients be evaluated for possible wisdom teeth removal as early as in their late teenage years.
If you still have your wisdom teeth make an appointment today for an evaluation with Dr. Yankowskas 978-649-7773. Visit the website at www.tyngsborocosmeticdentist.com.