When Should You Get Your Wisdom Tooth Removed?

The wisdom teeth, or third molars, are the last teeth to grow into your mouth. They typically emerge between the ages of 17 and 25, but this can vary depending on the position of your teeth and jaw. Your wisdom teeth may also not grow in at all or only partially emerge.

Wisdom teeth are a valuable asset to the mouth when they are healthy and properly aligned. However, when wisdom teeth are misaligned, they can cause great discomfort, swelling, and other problems. That’s why it’s important to receive the proper evaluation and treatment from a dental professional if you think your wisdom teeth may need to be extracted.

What Is An Impacted Wisdom Teeth?

If there is not enough room in the mouth for the wisdom teeth to come in properly, this can lead to them becoming impacted. An impacted wisdom tooth is one that does not erupt fully into the mouth. Instead, the tooth remains trapped beneath the gum line. This can cause pain, swelling, and infection. Besides, when wisdom teeth are only partially erupted into your mouth or grow sideways, they can trap food particles and bacteria, increasing your risk for tooth decay and gum disease.

The symptoms of impacted wisdom teeth include the following:

• Red or swollen gums.
• Tender or bleeding gums.
• Jaw pain.
• Swelling around the jaw.
• Bad breath.
• An unpleasant taste in your mouth.
• Difficulty opening your mouth.

Wisdom teeth can also cause many oral health complications, including:

• Tooth crowding, which can push other teeth out of alignment
• Cysts and tumors
• Infections, which can spread to the jaw and gum line
• Gum disease
• Adjacent tooth damage

When Should A Wisdom Teeth Need To Be Extracted?

An impacted wisdom tooth occurs when the tooth fails to erupt fully through the gums. It can be positioned horizontally, angled toward or away from the second molar, or angled inward or outward. It can be removed or left in the gums but may cause complications if left in place. Your dentist may recommend extracting your wisdom tooth if it is causing severe pain, infection, misalignment, impaction, or overcrowding.

Wisdom Tooth Removal Process

A wisdom tooth may be removed either by a dentist or an oral surgeon. 

Before the extraction, the dentist or oral surgeon will numb the patient’s jaw. Then, the tooth will be extracted and will stitch the gums closed. This helps prevent infection.

At Kennedy Heights Dental Centre, we strive to provide our patients with a positive and relaxing experience. If you’re ready to experience the best dental care, please contact us at 778.438.2084. or visit us at 11960 88 Ave, Delta, BC V4C 3C8.