Wisdom Teeth: Should They Stay or Go?

Tuesday - September 20th, 2016

Wisdom teeth (also known as third molars) are the last teeth to develop and appear in your mouth. They typically come in between the ages of 17 to 25, which has been coined the age of wisdom, hence the name wisdom teeth.

In some cases, the wisdom teeth erupt through the gums and become fully functioning teeth without a hitch. However, in other cases, there may be complications that make it necessary to have your wisdom teeth removed.

The main reason to remove wisdom teeth is if they are impacted or semi-impacted, meaning they cannot erupt through the gum. Impacted teeth can lead to many complications, including:

Infection of the area where the tooth is stuck under the gum, resulting in swelling and pain.

Buildup of plaque that can lead to tooth decay.

Damage to adjacent teeth from pushing into them, leading to pain, bite problems and crowding.

Fluid-filled cysts forming around the top of an impacted wisdom tooth.

Not sure about removing your wisdom teeth? The first step for everyone is talking to your dentist and getting x-rays.

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Orthodontics may be provided by general dentists.
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