Reasons to Have Wisdom Teeth Removed Earlier Rather than Later in Life

Unlike other teeth, wisdom teeth do not show up until you are around age 20. Some people get them as early as age 17, while other people may not see them erupt until age 25. In either case, these third molars can cause troubling issues cosmetically and for your oral health. Your dentist will examine you and take X-rays to determine whether it makes sense to remove these teeth. In many cases, it is good to take them out while people are in their teenage years rather than waiting much longer.

How extraction of these teeth works

A dentist will remove wisdom teeth. For patients whose teeth are impacted, the dentist may do less invasive work. But if the teeth have not cut through the gums, a more extensive surgery may be necessary. The dentist may use either local or general anesthesia to numb the patient.

Then the dentist will make an incision in the gums. After removing any bone blocking the tooth, the dentist will break it into pieces. This makes it more convenient to take out the tooth. After doing this, the dentist cleans the area and then stitches the incision wound.

Controlling pain and discomfort

Because there is little space in the mouth for wisdom teeth, these molars can cause pain when they come in. Patients may feel discomfort in the jaw or gums. The gums may also become irritated and inflamed. Waiting to visit the dentist for extraction will only result in further pain. The sooner a dentist can remove the teeth, the sooner the patient can feel more at ease.

Bones are softer in younger patients

As people age, the jawbone begins to harden. Bones in a teenager are much softer than bones in an older patient’s jaw. This makes the work much less extensive for a dentist working on a teenager’s wisdom teeth extraction. The surgery will not be as complicated or long in this case. As a result, there could be less bleeding and swelling.

Avoiding infections and other health problems

Aside from feeling intense pain, a person with impacted wisdom teeth could face serious oral health issues. Because wisdom teeth often grow in at odd angles and are hard to reach, it is difficult to brush and floss them. This can lead to cavities, infections, and gum disease. These molars can also interfere with other teeth, causing damage. The roots of a wisdom tooth can even become tangled with other teeth, causing further issues. It may make more sense to extract these molars before such problems ever show up.