Should your wisdom teeth be removed? The answer to this question like many health related ones
is...maybe.
Your mouth will go through a lot of transitions as you get older. A big dental milestone that commonly takes place between ages 16-20 is the appearance of your third molars or wisdom teeth. Wisdom teeth can lead to problems if they don't come in correctly or in the wrong position.
These are some of the things your dentist will look for during this time:
- Malpositioned wisdom teeth that trap food
- Wisdom teeth that have come only partly through the gum
- Wisdom teeth that don't have room to come in and may crowd other teeth
- An impacted wisdom tooth that can form a cyst or tumor
Why you may need to have your wisdom teeth removed:
- Gum disease
- Pain
- Cysts or Tumors
- Damage to other teeth
- Extensive tooth decay
Wisdom teeth that have errupted fully and are functional, painless, cavity free with healthy gum tissue may not need to ever be removed. If you are wondering what category your wisdom teeth fall into consult your dentist for an exam and panoramic x-ray to find out. If they need to be removed it is easier, with far fewer complications when you are younger.