What is the time to have your wisdom tooth extracted?

Wisdom teeth, also known as the third molars, are the last set of permanent teeth to appear in our mouth. These teeth erupt between the ages of 17 and 25 years old. Some individuals never develop the wisdom tooth in their lives. Many individuals develop wisdom teeth that cause no problem and develop normally like other molars. As long as it is normal, the doctor will not consider extraction. But sometimes, there is a problem with the wisdom tooth, which shows abnormalities. Such type of wisdom tooth is called impacted tooth. When there is not enough space in the mouth, the tooth does not develop normally. These types of impacted teeth develop partially or do not erupt at all. The dentist will recommend surgery for your tooth as it may cause severe pain and infection in the mouth.

Development of Impacted Teeth

Wisdom teeth can cause issues if there isn't enough space for them to erupt; or if they grow in the wrong spot. When your dentist says your wisdom teeth are impacted, they refer to the fact that they are lodged in your jaw or under your gums. Such wisdom teeth develop at different angles compared to other regular teeth.

• They grow towards the neighboring tooth.
• They may point in the opposite direction, i.e., towards the back of the mouth.
• They may grow perpendicular to other teeth, i.e., the wisdom tooth may lay flat within the jaw bone.
• They may grow straight like others, but they are imprisoned in the jaws.

Problems caused by Impacted tooth

The impacted tooth must be extracted as soon as possible because it may cause many problems. Some of the issues caused by Impacted teeth are:

• Pain the tooth area.
• Food can be trapped in the area surrounding wisdom teeth.
• It may cause an infection or oral disease. The gum disease caused is called gingivitis or periodontal disease.
• Cellulitis can occur, a bacterial infection in the cheeks and gums.
• There is a chance of tooth decay in half-developed wisdom teeth. This is known as dental caries.
• Such impacted tooth may cause damage to the nearby tooth.
• Cysts can be formed in the area around the wisdom tooth. This cyst is filled with puss from the bacterial infection.

Solution

The dental surgeon will suggest the extraction if you are facing the following problems with the wisdom tooth:

• They are impacted.
• They are growing in abnormal angles.
• There is not enough room in your mouth.
• There are cavities in your mouth, and you suffer from gum diseases.

Final Thoughts

Some dentists and oral surgeons believe that it is better to have impacted wisdom teeth removed (extracted) before the age of 20, while the roots and bones of the teeth are still soft and not fully developed. As you age, the bones surrounding your teeth develop and become harder. This makes tooth extraction more difficult. Additionally, as you age, it may take longer for you to recover after having them removed.

*Neither this nor any other content in this media is meant to prescribe, recommend, or prevent any treatment or procedure. We highly recommend that you get the advice of a qualified dentist or other medical practitioners regarding your specific dental condition.