Did you know that roughly five million wisdom teeth are removed in the US every year? However, even though they’re one of the most common extraction procedures, there are still plenty of misconceptions about wisdom teeth removal. Learning more about how these third molars develop and why they’re commonly extracted can help you make the smartest decision for your smile. Read on as your Attleboro family dentist busts four popular misconceptions about wisdom teeth removal.
1.) Everyone Needs to Have All Their Wisdom Teeth Taken Out
While having wisdom teeth removed is extremely common, it’s not something that everyone has to do. If your wisdom teeth are growing in properly and without threatening the health or alignment of the rest of your pearly whites, they don’t need to be extracted. In fact, many people only develop three or fewer wisdom teeth. However, most patients choose to have their wisdom teeth removed anyways as a precautionary measure to prevent potential future issues or infections.
2.) Wisdom Teeth Only Make Your Teeth Crooked
Wisdom teeth can cause much more severe problems than just a crooked smile. If a wisdom tooth begins to come in at an angle, it can cause permanent damage to the tooth next to it or fracture its roots. Other times, the wisdom tooth will become impacted, or trapped in the jaw beneath the gumline or after partially erupting. Impacted wisdom teeth are at a high risk of becoming infected, painful, and dangerous.
3.) It’s Easy to Tell If You Need to Have Your Wisdom Teeth Removed
The only way to track the development of your wisdom teeth is to visit your dentist regularly for checkups. They’ll use x-rays to monitor your oral health below the gumline, where you can’t see. If they detect any signs that the way your wisdom teeth are coming in will harm the rest of your smile, they will likely recommend extraction. Typically, this is long before you can see or feel your wisdom teeth. The goal of an early removal is to take out the wisdom teeth before they have a chance to cause any unnecessary damage or discomfort. Additionally, it’s usually easier to remove a wisdom tooth while it’s still developing rather than waiting until it’s fully grown.
4.) I’m Too Old to Have My Wisdom Teeth Removed
Most people have their wisdom teeth removed between the ages of 17 and 25. However, every smile is unique, so some people have their wisdom teeth removed later in life. As you visit your dentist twice a year, they’ll regularly take X-rays of your mouth to keep an eye on the progression of your wisdom teeth. In short, you’re never too old to have your wisdom teeth removed if it’s for the benefit of your oral health.
In many cases, removing your wisdom teeth is a smart decision. Talk to your Attleboro family dentist to see if you should have yours extracted to keep your smile happy and healthy.
About the Practice
Whether you need a dental cleaning or wisdom tooth extraction, Capron Park Dental strives to make the experience as pleasant as possible. Their highly experienced team is proud to offer the smiles of Attleboro and the surrounding communities the comfortable and efficient dental care they deserve. With modern dental technology, sedation dentistry options, and the latest dental techniques, they go above and beyond to ensure your piece of mind during every appointment. To learn more about wisdom teeth removal, they can be contacted via their website or at (508) 222-5950.