Over 5 million Americans have their wisdom teeth removed each year, mostly between the ages of 17 and 25. However, there are plenty of Americans that don’t get their wisdom teeth removed in early adulthood…if ever. What happens if you never get your wisdom teeth taken out? Are there consequences from waiting? Let’s take a moment to debunk the myths and reveal the truth about wisdom teeth removal.
Reasons to Have Your Wisdom Teeth Taken out
In some cases, a dentist will recommend wisdom teeth removal as a preventative measure. Perhaps the teeth are close to emerging, and they are set to cause crowding when they do. In other cases, a patient will experience discomfort from wisdom teeth that can be eliminated by removing them. Common reasons to have wisdom teeth extracted include:
- Pain and Infection
- Impacted Teeth
- Cysts or Tumors
- Crowding in Your Mouth
- Issues with Surrounding Teeth
- Gum Disease
- Crooked Teeth with No Space for Realignment
These issues may occur before the wisdom teeth fully erupt. In fact, many patients experience pain while the teeth are still under the gums. Thankfully, we can take x-rays to determine if the wisdom teeth are indeed the culprits and recommend the best course of action.
Do All Wisdom Teeth Need to Be Removed?
While it is common to have your wisdom teeth removed, not all wisdom teeth have to be taken out. Many people are able to go their whole lives without getting wisdom teeth removal because the teeth simply do not cause them any trouble. The teeth still need to be monitored regularly to prevent issues, but they do not have to be extracted in all cases. Your dentist can recommend the best option for your oral health.
What to Do If You Haven’t Had Your Wisdom Teeth Taken out
If you haven’t had your wisdom teeth removed, continue visiting your dentist twice a year. If you notice any of the warning signs above, schedule an appointment to find the root cause. If the wisdom teeth are an issue, consider having them removed to eliminate discomfort. If there are no issues related to them, you may not need an extraction.
Also keep in mind that some people are born without wisdom teeth. Others only have two wisdom teeth instead of four. Your smile is completely unique, and your dentist will provide custom care solutions to fit this one-of-a-kind feature.
To schedule a consultation for wisdom teeth removal at Clinton Dental Center, please call (586) 949-5363.
