What are Wisdom Teeth?
Wisdom teeth are also known as third molars, they are the last teeth to erupt. Wisdom teeth usually start erupting during the late teens to early twenties, though some people’s wisdom teeth never grow in. Wisdom teeth removal is a common oral surgery, but is their removal always necessary. This leads to the obvious question:
When should wisdom teeth be removed?
Although many people who have their wisdom teeth removed tend to be 21 years old or younger, you shouldn't think of removal as an age-specific thing. Rather, timing of removal is tied to whether or not there is a problem with their development/eruption, or whether their presence is causing dental pain or problems in the mouth, such as bite misalignment.
Generally speaking, the following symptoms could be indicative of wisdom tooth issues and removal:
Jaw pain and/or swelling
Tooth decay
Chronic bad breath
Tender, red, swollen or bleeding gums at the back of the mouth
Gum disease
Damage to adjacent molars
A primary concern related to wisdom tooth eruption is spacing. There may not be enough room as the teeth come in, which can cause wisdom teeth to press against the neighboring teeth, causing pain, swelling, and food traps. This is referred to as impacted wisdom teeth.
When to See a Dentist?
There is a very easy way of finding out if you should make a dentist appointment for wisdom tooth removal. If you’re experiencing pain from wisdom teeth, visit your dentist at Lux Dental.