Generally, most young adults had their wisdom teeth pulled as a matter of routine. Nowadays, the message is not quite as clear: Some people definitely need their third molars extracted, but others don’t. This is a decision that you and your dentist will have to make together. Here are some considerations to keep in mind when choosing which route to take.
Problems With Wisdom Teeth
Some dentists prefer to extract wisdom teeth because these particular chompers can cause more trouble than they’re worth. Because they emerge during early adulthood (usually between the ages of 17 and 25), the jaw has already stopped growing, so they often push other teeth out of the way.
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The eruption can cause jaw pain along with crowding of the existing teeth. Due to their position, they’re also tricky to clean, so they’re at risk of developing cavities or gum infections. According to the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, about 85 percent of wisdom teeth will need to be removed at some point.
All of these issues are only a problem if the teeth erupt at all. About 35 percent of people don’t have any wisdom teeth, and many others only have one or two.
In some cases, the wisdom teeth remain impacted under the bone. They could cause pain and infection — or they could stay there for many years without bothering you. Unfortunately, there’s no way to tell whether impacted teeth will be a problem or not, so your dentist may recommend extraction regardless.
If It Ain’t Broke…
There are a few risks that go along with wisdom teeth extraction, generally having to do with anesthesia and infection potential. You and your dentist should weigh these against the dangers of keeping your wisdom teeth. If they’ve grown in relatively straight, aren’t bothering the surrounding teeth, and aren’t causing any pain, some dentists will advise watchful waiting. This means that as long as you can keep them clean and cavity-free, they might be able to stay.
Each time you go to the dentist for your routine cleaning and checkup, your dentist will check the pockets around the wisdom teeth to ensure they’re not collecting too much bacteria.
You and your dentist should discuss the potential dangers of wisdom tooth surgery, as well as the risks of keeping the teeth in place. There are ways to minimize the risks of either scenario, so it might be a “six of one, half dozen of the other” situation in some cases. Other times, the correct choice will be clear.
If you have questions about managing your wisdom teeth, please call our office or bring it to our attention at your next regular appointment.
