When Should Wisdom Teeth Be Removed

Wisdom teeth are the last teeth to erupt. They are also called the third set of molars and typically come in between the ages of 17 and 25. While most people develop four wisdom teeth, you may only get three, two, one, or none.

There has always been controversy over whether these teeth should be removed or not. However, there seems to be agreement that if they erupt without causing problems, they can stay. However, if they come in improperly or cause unbearable discomfort, then it would be prudent to have them removed.

So, let’s take a detailed look at when wisdom teeth should be pulled out.

When to Pull Out Wisdom Teeth

As mentioned, there’s no reason to remove wisdom teeth if they erupt and grow normally. However, wisdom teeth often don’t have sufficient room to do so. This situation may lead to problems that would necessitate their removal.

These problems include:

• Impacted teeth – Your wisdom teeth may be unable to erupt normally and remain hidden below the gums. This may lead to infection or development of a cyst, which can damage the jawbone and other tooth roots.

• Partial eruption – Your wisdom teeth may emerge partially, creating a passageway for bacteria that can lead to oral infection and periodontal disease. This is made worse by the fact that the area around these teeth is difficult to clean.

• Crowding – The teeth may not have sufficient space to grow properly. This may lead to crowding and eventual damage to the adjacent teeth.

• Prosthetic teeth – If you have dentures, and wisdom teeth erupt beneath them, it can lead to severe irritation. If the wisdom teeth are pulled out, you’ll need to get new dentures to fit the changed shape of the gums. Because of this, it is advisable to have any wisdom teeth pulled before you have dentures made.

These are some of the major reasons to remove wisdom teeth. Dental experts recommend that wisdom teeth be removed at a younger age, as the roots and bone aren’t fully formed yet, and recovery will be faster.