It used to be that most young adults had their wisdom teeth pulled as a matter of routine. Nowadays, the message is not quite as clear: Some people definitely have to have their third molars extracted, but others don’t. This is a decision that you and your dentist will have to make together, but here are some considerations to keep in mind when choosing which route to take.

Potential Problems With Wisdom Teeth

The reason that some dentists prefer to extract wisdom teeth is that 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. This can cause jaw pain along with crowding of the existing teeth. Due to their position, they’re also difficult to clean, so they’re at risk of developing cavities or gum infections.

All of these issues are only a problem if the teeth erupt at all, of course. In some cases, the wisdom teeth remain impacted under the bone. They could cause pain and infection, or they could remain there for many years without bothering you. Unfortunately, there’s no way to tell whether impacted teeth will be a problem or not, so extraction, in this case, may be recommended.

If It Ain’t Broke…

On the other hand, there are a few risks that go along with wisdom teeth extraction (generally having to do with anesthesia and the potential for infection), and it’s important to weigh these against the risks of leaving the teeth in. If they’ve grown in relatively straight, aren’t bothering the surrounding teeth, and aren’t causing any pain, some dentist will advise watchful waiting. What this means is 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, the pockets around the wisdom teeth need to be checked to be sure that they’re not collecting too much bacteria.

When deciding whether or not to have your wisdom teeth extracted, you and your dentist should talk over all of the potential dangers of the surgery, as well as the risks of keeping the teeth in place. There are ways to minimize the risks of either scenario, so in some cases, it might be a “six of one, half dozen of the other” situation. Other times, the correct choice will be clear.

If you have questions about how to manage your wisdom teeth, please call our office or bring it up at your next regular appointment.