Feb. 6, 2025 | It pays to be wise when it comes to your wisdom teeth, so named because they come in between the ages of 17 and 25, during a person’s so-called “age of wisdom.” Sometimes these teeth can be a valuable asset to the mouth when healthy and properly aligned, but more often, they are misaligned and require removal. Poor alignment of wisdom teeth can crowd or damage adjacent teeth, the jawbone, or nerves. Wisdom teeth can also be impacted, which means they are enclosed within the soft tissue or jawbone or only partially break through or erupt through the gum. Partial eruption of the wisdom teeth allows an opening for bacteria to enter around the tooth and cause an infection, which can result in pain, swelling, jaw stiffness, and general illness. Partially erupted teeth are also more prone to tooth decay and gum disease because their hard-to-reach location and awkward positioning makes brushing and flossing difficult.

Feb. 6, 2025 | Most people have four wisdom teeth at the back of the mouth, two on the top and two on the bottom. Wisdom teeth are considered impacted if they are unable to break through the gums. According to the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, nine out of 10 people will have at least one impacted wisdom tooth. Impacted wisdom teeth can result in pain, damage to other teeth and other dental problems. In some cases, impacted wisdom teeth may cause no apparent or immediate problems. Impacted wisdom teeth that cause pain or other dental complications are usually removed. Some dentists and oral surgeons also recommend removing impacted wisdom teeth that don’t cause symptoms to prevent future problems. Unfortunately, impacted wisdom teeth don’t always cause symptoms. Some of the signs of a possible infection include a headache, red or swollen gums, bad breath and an unpleasant taste in your mouth.

Feb. 6, 2025 | It’s important to keep regular six-month dental appointments for cleaning and checkups. This will enable your dentist to monitor the growth and emergence of your wisdom teeth. If you’re experiencing pain, swollen gums or other dental problems that may indicate an impacted wisdom tooth, see your dentist as soon as possible. Your dentist may recommend an oral surgeon if your impacted wisdom teeth are likely to be difficult to treat. Your dentist will ask certain questions about your symptoms, such as when did they begin or did anything worsen your symptoms, like chewing toward the back of your mouth. Your dentist or oral surgeon can evaluate your teeth and mouth to determine if you have impacted wisdom teeth or if another condition is causing your problems. This evaluation will include an examination of your teeth and gums and X-rays that can reveal the presence of impacted teeth, as well as signs of damage to teeth or bone.

Feb. 6, 2025 | Impacted wisdom teeth that are causing pain or other dental problems are usually surgically removed, or extracted. If you have medical conditions that may increase surgical risks, your dentist will likely ask you to see an oral surgeon to discuss the best course of action. This is a good time to ask questions. You should talk to the surgeon about any concerns you have. And be sure to let your doctor know about any illness you have and medications you are taking. There are several conditions that affect how easy it will be to remove a wisdom tooth. These conditions include how the tooth is positioned and the stage of root development. If the wisdom teeth are impacted the surgery might be more complicated. Most of the time third molars can be removed with little or no pain. Patients are given either local anesthesia, intravenous sedation or general anesthesia. Your oral surgeon will recommend the anesthetic option that is right for you.

Feb. 6, 2025 | Despite what you may think, not everyone has their wisdom teeth removed. If after talking to your family dentist or an oral surgeon you decide to keep your wisdom teeth, you should take particular care in cleaning and flossing your teeth, especially your molars. The condition of your mouth will change over time. Wisdom teeth that are not removed should continue to be monitored, because the potential for developing problems later on still exists. Your wisdom teeth should be professionally examined every year to make sure the health of your teeth and gum tissue has not changed. As with many other health conditions, as people age, they are at greater risk for health problems and that includes potential problems with their wisdom teeth. Regular dental visits are important so your dentist can evaluate not just your wisdom teeth but your overall oral health to help you prevent and manage dental disease and achieve optimal oral health.