Wisdom teeth extraction is the most common oral surgery for older teens and young adults. But you may be wondering if it’s really necessary. Do wisdom teeth always have to be pulled when they start to erupt? We’ll explain everything you need to know in this blog post from We Care Dental Care.
The wisdom teeth are the third set of molars that come into our mouths. They erupt a lot later than our other teeth, which usually come out by the time we’re 12-13 years old. The wisdom teeth are indeed a natural, normal part of our mouths, but this late eruption of our final set of teeth can cause serious oral health difficulties.
The primary issue is space in the mouth. Many people don’t have enough room for their final set of molars to erupt, and this is particularly common among teens who have had orthodontic work to adjust the position of their teeth.
When the wisdom teeth start to erupt, they can cause the surrounding teeth to shift, damage them, and even fail to erupt completely, leading to a higher risk of gum and tooth infection. This is why some people need to have their wisdom teeth removed.
In the past, it was common for dentists to always recommend wisdom tooth extraction for patients, even if they did not have any major problems with their wisdom tooth. But this is no longer the case.
Today, it’s quite common for patients to keep their wisdom teeth. As long as the wisdom teeth are healthy, erupt fully, and don’t cause issues with the adjacent molars, there’s no reason to pull them. They will not cause any dental issues in the future as long as they emerge properly.
In fact, many people are born without one or more of their wisdom teeth, and some people have no wisdom teeth at all! About 35% of people are missing at least one wisdom tooth. Again, as long as these teeth erupt properly and do not cause any pain or discomfort, there’s no reason to have them extracted.
Whether you’re a parent and think that your child may need a tooth extraction, or you’re an older teen or young adult and you think your wisdom teeth need to come out, there are a few common signs to look out for.
If you or your child notice these issues, wisdom teeth extraction may be necessary, so schedule a consultation with Dr. Benjamin Burkitt at We Care Dental Care to get the help you need.
At We Care Dental Care, Dr. Burkitt offers pain-free tooth extractions for kids of all ages. If your teen thinks their wisdom teeth need to come out, don’t wait, and don’t risk their oral health. Contact us online or give us a call at 540-427-7274 to schedule an appointment right away, and get the help you need.