Some people have them and some don’t, but in most cases when wisdom teeth begin to erupt from the gumline or become impacted, they can cause problems that warrant a wisdom teeth extraction.
When Should I Get my Wisdom Tooth Checked?
Normally, The wisdom tooth starts showing in your mouth from 17 to 25. You should visit your dentist if you reach this age and are experiencing any of the following:
- Pain or discomfort related to the gum.
- Asymmetry in your face when you look at yourself in the mirror.
- Referred pain in the ears or at the back of the mouth.
- Bad breath or taste.
If your wisdom tooth partially erupts, it is more susceptible to:
- Decay, or you may feel pain when biting on it.
- Collect food debris, initiating gum problems.
- Erupt but in a different direction.
As a general rule, you should visit your dentist every six months, where dental x-rays will show the progress of wisdom teeth and identify signs that the wisdom teeth should be extracted.
Wisdom Teeth Extraction
Here are some of the reasons why your dentist may recommend extracting your wisdom tooth:
- Decay in wisdom teeth is widespread as most people don’t reach their toothbrushes to this area, especially if it is partially covered with a part of the gum. Removal, in this case, may be advised if the decay is extensive or accompanied by gum disease.
- Unfavorable position: finding your wisdom tooth in a bizarre position is widespread. There are many theories why this is common, as our ancestors had much bigger Jaws than we have. Due to evolution and eating refined food, our jaws became smaller that couldn’t hold a wisdom tooth anymore. Removing them, in this case, is essential as they may affect the neighboring tooth or teeth.
- Sore soft tissue around the tooth is called “pericoronitis.” If this happens only once, your dentist may prescribe anti-inflammatory and antibacterial to allow the gum to heal and avoid wisdom tooth removal. If this inflammation occurs again, it is recommended that the tooth should be removed.
- The tooth found to be attached to a sac-filled fluid “cyst” or a tumor.
- After orthodontic treatment, most orthodontists refer their patients to remove the wisdom teeth at the retention phase, to avoid relapse.
Should I Get All My 4 Wisdom Teeth Removed At Once?
Every patient is different. Sometimes your dentist may find it favorable to remove all four teeth at once. This will save you time and money in the long run.
Expert Wisdom Teeth Removal
Our staff of oral surgeons can handle your wisdom teeth extraction. Our offices in Beavercreek and West Chester are equipped to get you in and remove wisdom teeth before they become an issue in your mouth.
