Adults have 32 permanent teeth compared to a child’s 20 teeth. These teeth come in starting around age 7 or 8. However, the last 4 adult teeth—the wisdom teeth—don’t generally come in until a person is between 17 and 21. These are teeth that don’t have many functions in modern times, which is why the majority of people have the wisdom teeth removed. Not removing those 4 teeth could result in teeth crowding, tooth decay and other oral health problems. Learn more about why the wisdom teeth need to be removed and how this process works.

Your Wisdom Teeth

Most people are born with wisdom teeth and most will need them removed eventually. The wisdom teeth are not actually teeth that give you wisdom, but are your third molars. They stay in your gums and jawline until about the age between high school and college. Most people have their wisdom teeth come into the mouth between 17 and 21 years old. This is an age where many are gaining tons of “wisdom” from high school and college classes. Hence, why these teeth are named, the “wisdom teeth”.

In centuries past, people may have used third molars for harder foods and meats they chewed. However, in our day and age, these teeth are generally removed. They are not needed and cause problems such as tooth decay, cyst formation, gum problems and crooked teeth.

Tooth Extractions

Did you know that wisdom teeth removal falls under the category of a “tooth extraction”? We urge every one of our patients to practice good oral hygiene so that they never have to lose a tooth. This is because the loss of a single tooth can have a major impact on your oral health and appearance. However, in many cases it’s just not possible to avoid a tooth extraction. We perform a tooth extraction if the following occurs:

• Severe decay
• Advanced periodontal (gum disease), which involves supporting bone
• Infection or abscess
• Orthodontic correction
• Fractured teeth or roots
• Impacted teeth

These occurrences can happen through dental decay or gum disease, but they can also happen because of the wisdom teeth.

Why Do You Need Wisdom Teeth Removal?

Every person is different, so their wisdom teeth will come in differently depending on the patient. Some will start pushing on the back molars, exerting pressure that can break or crack molar tooth roots. You may also experience crooked teeth even if you have already had orthodontic straightening treatment. You should receive wisdom teeth removal if you are experiencing these problems and more such as:

• Aches and pains. The pressure exerted by wisdom teeth can push on the molars and damage them, causing pain.
• Cysts. Irritation and injury from shifting wisdom teeth can form fluid-filled sacs that can cause infections and bone, tooth and tooth root damage if left untreated.
• Problems eating. Severe pain can make chewing painful, which you never want.
• Cavities. Difficulty cleaning the back molars and wisdom teeth will lead to cavities.
• Gum Issues. Tooth decay and gum disease often go hand-in-hand. When it’s hard to clean your teeth, you can get gum recession and gum problems around your back molars.
• Sinus Issues. The wisdom teeth can even cause sinus problems because the upper wisdom teeth can move and push on your sinuses.

How Is This Done?

Getting wisdom teeth removal is different than getting a cavity filled. Wisdom teeth removal requires a specialist that has been trained in removing the teeth. Some professionals only do tooth extractions such as wisdom teeth removal. There are several options when going about getting the wisdom teeth removed. There are dentists that can remove them for you, specialists that only do extractions, and there are research centers that perform wisdom teeth removal.

When it comes to your tooth extraction, we recommend going to a dentist or a specialist trained in the procedure. Research centers can be cheap (or even free), but they are experimental. Some centers perform the procedure without anesthetic or they try new methods that can be uncomfortable for a patient.

Stick to specialists and trained dentists who can perform wisdom teeth removal quickly and pain-free. Depending on what your wisdom teeth look like and how they are positioned, you might need local anesthetic in your molar area, or you might need an IV to put you completely under. Some wisdom teeth are right on the surface of the gum line or are already through the gums. Removing them requires very small incisions to the gums, where the dentist will then pull the teeth out with dental tools.

If the wisdom teeth still lie strongly in the bone, a dentist might have to make the small incision a bit deeper. An incision is made in a capital I shape that includes 3 small incisions to make that shape. This is to fold back either side of the gum area so that the tooth can be removed. Once wisdom teeth removal is complete, the gums are simply stitched together to allow the area to heal. Salt-water rinses, over-the-counter pain medications and cleaning with a Waterpik are generally recommended to heal the area over the next 7-14 days.

Schedule Your Wisdom Teeth Removal

If your wisdom teeth ache or if you are having problems such as crooked teeth starting to form, make sure you come in for a dental evaluation. Wisdom teeth removal is very simple and something that we’ve done many times. To see if you need wisdom teeth removal today, call Mountain Aire Dentistry at (303) 731-7755!