Why You Actually Want To Lose Your Wisdom Teeth
It seems a bit odd, doesn’t it? To think about losing teeth as a good thing? But in the case of your wisdom teeth, chances are you’ll want to have them removed as soon as they start to come in. In fact, you may find it beneficial to undergo tooth extraction before you experience any issues with your wisdom teeth at all.
For patients in Tulsa, Sand Springs, and surrounding cities in Oklahoma, at Galleria of Smiles, we offer wisdom teeth removal right here in our office, to save you the hassle of having to travel elsewhere.
But before we get to exactly why it’s a good thing to have your wisdom teeth removed, let’s dive into the world of wisdom teeth to learn more about them.
What Are Wisdom Teeth?
Most children will have a full set of teeth by the time they’re 3 years old. Of course, those teeth will then fall out to make room for adult teeth, but what about wisdom teeth? You’re born with them, like the rest of your teeth, unless you’re a part of the small population of people who are born without them.
Your wisdom teeth are the third set of molars that usually don’t come in until your late teens or early twenties. The reason we have wisdom teeth, researchers believe, is because our ancestors needed them to help grind and chew food. These days, they’re no longer necessary as the rest of our teeth do a perfectly fine job on their own.
When Do Wisdom Teeth Become A Problem?
If your wisdom teeth come in properly aligned, without causing any issues with your other teeth, they’re really not much of a problem. But more times than not, those stubborn molars sit at an angle that crowd or damage your teeth, jawbone, or nerves.
Wisdom teeth can also be impacted, which means they’re caged in by your soft tissue and/or your jawbone or don’t completely break through the gum.
If your wisdom teeth have partially erupted, bacteria can get into your gums, causing an infection. If the area becomes infected, you’ll soon experience swelling, pain or tenderness, and jaw stiffness.
Given their location at the very back of your both, brushing and flossing is difficult. Not brushing and flossing the area properly can put you at risk for tooth decay and gum disease.
Why You Should Have Your Wisdom Teeth Removed
Not everyone has to have their wisdom teeth removed, but there’s a good chance you will. When you come to our office for a consultation, we will likely take X-rays to get a better look at how your wisdom teeth are coming in. If we decide that it’s in your best interest to remove your wisdom teeth, it will likely be because:
- They are causing you discomfort
- They are coming in at an angle
- They are impacted
- They only partially erupted
- They don’t have enough room in your jaw to come in properly
If you do need to have your wisdom teeth removed, we’ll make sure you’re as comfortable as possible throughout the process.
Wisdom Tooth Removal
At Galleria of Smiles, we will do our best to make sure your wisdom teeth removal is a total breeze. We perform the procedure right here in our office and offer local anesthesia or dental sedation to help make you comfortable and to relieve any anxiety you may have.
We’ll take care of your wisdom teeth in just one visit and send you home with detailed instructions on how to properly care for your mouth after the procedure. In no time at all, you’ll be back to normal, without the pain and discomfort of your wisdom teeth!
If you’re curious as to whether your wisdom teeth need to be removed, come see us for a consultation. We will gladly take a look! Call us or contact us online.
