You probably know someone who has had their wisdom teeth extracted—or at least a friend of a friend that has had those back teeth pulled. It’s not an uncommon form of dentistry. In fact, many people benefit from having their wisdom teeth pulled. Learn all about wisdom tooth surgery in Attleboro, if you need it, and how you can benefit from it in this week’s blog post!
Why Do Wisdom Teeth Get Extracted?
Those very back teeth are actually your wisdom teeth. These are the very last set of molars to develop as a young adult, typically between the ages of 18 and 25. They develop way back in your mouth behind your second molars. Because they develop so late and can cause several health concerns, your dentist will typically recommend removing them. You may need your wisdom teeth to be extracted if:
- There isn’t enough space in the back of your smile. In many cases, there is not enough space in the very back of your mouth for your wisdom teeth to develop. When this happens, your wisdom teeth may begin to crowd your other teeth. This can cause issues for patients who have tried to straighten their teeth with orthodontics in the past.
- They have developed incorrectly. Some wisdom teeth don’t develop into their appropriate, straight positions. This can also cause problems for your other neighboring teeth or even the soft tissues in the back of your mouth.
- They are hard to keep clean. Brushing and flossing teeth at the very back of your mouth can be challenging without wisdom teeth. If you don’t keep your very back teeth cleaned properly, you’ll develop tooth decay and gum disease.
- They never made it outside the gum line. There are some cases where wisdom teeth remain stuck below the gum line or “impacted.” This can lead to dental pain and infections.
Are You a Candidate for Wisdom Teeth Extractions?
Patients who have wisdom teeth that come in straight and can maintain them may be able to keep them with a healthy smile for years to come. However, in most cases your dentist will recommend getting an extraction to avoid dental concerns in the future.
The best way to determine in you need to have yours removed is to have a thorough dental examination with your dentist during a scheduled appointment. Your dentist will be able to take dental x-rays to view below the gum line and evaluate the current state of your oral health.
Are you experiencing wisdom tooth development? Determine whether you should keep them or not by visiting your dentist.
About Our Office
Here at Capron Park Dental, we work to help our patients meet and maintain their optimal oral health. In the case that their smile is changing, like with wisdom tooth development, we want you to know that you can rely on us to provide helpful, effective solutions to your concerns. Contact us today to learn about how we can help you and your smile.