5 Signs That it’s Time to Get Your Wisdom Teeth Out

Michael Wahl • April 23, 2019

Wisdom teeth removal has become incredibly common. It’s almost become a rite of passage into your twenties.  Get your wisdom teeth out. Say ridiculous things under anesthesia. Your parent records you and posts it to YouTube. You go viral for a day.

Like your appendix, wisdom teeth, or your 3rd set of molars, are much less useful than before the typical industrialized diet. But, you may be surprised to know that some experts are beginning to question the pre-emptive removal of wisdom teeth that aren’t showing any signs of trouble. Let’s explore warning signs that you shouldn’t ignore that mean it’s time to get your wisdom teeth out.

Signs of Wisdom Teeth Trouble

  • Pain
  • Infection
  • Damage to other Teeth
  • Gum Disease
  • Cysts

Diagnosing the Problem

If your wisdom teeth are erupting, some pain is normal. Think about how babies get fussy as their teeth erupt and you’ll realize that erupting teeth is hard work. However, prolonged or intense pain should let you know it’s time for you to visit your dentist for further investigation. Your dentist will do a visual examination as well as take X-rays to see what’s happening below the gum-line. Impacted wisdom teeth may not be a problem, but sometimes they can lead to the weakening of other teeth’s roots, decay, gum disease or infection. All of these issues will be clear from a simple exam and X-rays.

Deciding Whether to Remove Your Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom Teeth removal is a surgery, even if it is a very common one. As with all surgeries, there are some risks. You may react poorly to the anesthesia, struggle with pain or numbness which occasionally doesn’t fade with time. You should discuss your individual needs with your dentist. If your wisdom teeth aren’t currently a problem, you should consider postponing removal. Although it is more difficult to remove your wisdom teeth as they grow longer roots and harden, there is a chance that they will never cause problems and won’t need removal. Wisdom Teeth removal may only be truly necessary in as low as 12% of the population. This is similar in severity to the percentage of appendices that end up needing removal (10%.)

However, if your dentist advises removal of your wisdom teeth, you should consider removing them. Your dentist should be able to explain to you your specific risk factors for wisdom teeth trouble.

 

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