When Should You Remove Your Wisdom Teeth? – Tooth Extraction 101

As we get older, our bodies go through a lot of changes. For many of us, wisdom teeth become an issue. While some people never have problems with their wisdom teeth, many do. So when should you remove your wisdom teeth? The answer can depend on various factors such as age, mouth size and shape, and dental history. 

 

Generally speaking, if you are experiencing pain or discomfort due to overcrowding in your mouth caused by your wisdom teeth, it might be time to consider getting them removed. If you know the signs, you can have your wisdom teeth removed on time in order to prevent any potential issues from arising. Let’s take a closer look at when it might be time to remove your wisdom teeth.

When Should You Have Your Wisdom Teeth Removed?

Wisdom teeth can begin emerging between the ages of 17 and 25 years old. If there is enough room in your mouth for the molars to come in without causing any issues, then you may not need to have your wisdom teeth removed. However, if there isn’t enough space or if the molars are coming in at an angle that is pushing against other teeth or causing pain or discomfort, then it is probably time to have them taken out.

 

Sometimes, wisdom teeth can cause serious health issues such as infection and decay due to their location deep within the jaw and hard-to-reach oral tissues. If left untreated, these conditions can lead to more serious health complications such as cysts and tumors which can damage nearby structures like nerves, roots, and jawbones. In addition to this, impacted (or stuck) wisdom teeth can also cause swelling and pain in the surrounding gums, which can be difficult to treat without removing them entirely.

 

You may also want to consider having your wisdom teeth removed if they are coming in crooked or twisted, as this could lead to long-term problems with your bite alignment or temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Additionally, if you have a family history of impacted wisdom teeth, then it may be a wise decision for you to have yours taken out before any potential problems arise down the line.

The Wisdom Teeth Removal Process

If you think you may need to have your wisdom teeth extracted, it’s important to consult a professional dentist like the team at Stamford Dental Spa in Stamford, CT. Only a professional can accurately evaluate the condition of each of your individual teeth and recommend a course of action based on their findings. 

 

The removal procedure itself typically takes about 30 minutes but could take longer depending on how impacted the tooth is and any other complicating factors present during extraction. After surgery, most people experience mild discomfort, which can usually be managed with over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Swelling and soreness are also normal side effects of having your wisdom teeth removed; this should go away after a few days but may persist for up to two weeks in some cases. Most people will recover fully within one week after their surgery, though this timeline may also vary from person to person depending on how well they follow post-op instructions from their dentist.

 

Wisdom teeth often require removal due to overcrowding or impaction of surrounding teeth, pain caused by infection or inflammation of surrounding gums, difficulty cleaning due to crooked positioning on emerging from the gums making them susceptible to decay and gum disease, etc., which all affect oral health negatively if not treated promptly. 

 

If you have any questions about whether it’s fine for you to remove your wisdom teeth, get in touch with Stamford Dental Spa in Stamford, CT! We can provide expert advice based on evaluating your individual case, so you can decide whether removal is necessary for maintaining good oral health habits both now and into adulthood. We are looking forward to assisting you with your wisdom teeth extractions.