Don’t Forget! Schedule Wisdom Teeth Removal During Upcoming School Breaks
8 Oct 2020
Do you know why wisdom teeth are called wisdom teeth? Well, it has to do with age and wisdom. According to the American Dental Association, “One major dental milestone that usually takes place between the ages of 17 and 21 is the appearance of your third molars. Historically, these teeth have been called wisdom teeth because they come through at a more mature age.”
During the late teen years, many Houston dentists recommend having the wisdom teeth removed as a preventative measure. Since you tend to need a few days to recover from wisdom teeth surgery, we recommend trying to schedule the surgery for one of the upcoming school breaks, such as fall break, Thanksgiving, or winter holidays.
What are some reasons why wisdom teeth do not need to be removed?
First, some people don’t have wisdom teeth. Healthline reports, “It’s estimated that anywhere from 5 to 37 percent of people are missing one or more of their third molars.” So, if your Houston dentist doesn’t see wisdom teeth in your dental x-rays, then you don’t have to worry about wisdom teeth surgery.
Additionally, some dentists may choose not to wisdom teeth if they are healthy and have grown in completely without positioning issues or bite issues. Your Houston dentist will also want to make sure you can clean your wisdom teeth well based on their position.
When do wisdom teeth need to be removed?
Unfortunately, most people have to have their wisdom teeth removed at their dentist’s recommendation. The American Dental Association explains, “Wisdom teeth can lead to problems if there isn’t enough space for them to surface or they come through in the wrong position. If your dentist says your wisdom teeth are impacted, he or she means they are trapped in your jaw or under your gums.”
Here are some of the main signs you need to have your wisdom teeth removed:
- They are impacted (or unable to come through). This can cause pain in your jaw and gums.
- They come in at the wrong angle and are uncomfortable.
- Your dentist can tell your mouth simply isn’t big enough for them.
- You have dental issues, such as cavities or gum disease, and cleaning your wisdom teeth is a problem.
- Tooth pain as the wisdom teeth start to emerge
- Swollen and painful gums
- Cysts in the back of your mouth
- Oral infections
- Cavities (especially true because there may not be enough space around the wisdom teeth to brush or floss properly)
- Shifting teeth
Related Blog Articles