When is it Smart to Remove Wisdom Teeth?

Some dentists are rethinking automatically extracting wisdom teeth, but in some cases, keeping your wisdom teeth just isn't that wise.

When you are born, all your baby teeth are developed and waiting below the gum to start popping through when you are about six months old.

Wisdom teeth, however, don't start to develop until you are about seven. By the time you reach puberty, they are visible on an x-ray and continue to grow until they begin to erupt through the gums between the ages of 17-21.

While they are technically called your third molars, they have been nicknamed wisdom teeth because they develop later in your life when you are more mature and have more wisdom. 

Why do we have wisdom teeth?

Wisdom teeth are usually extracted under local anesthesia with mild sedation or general anesthesia, depending on the situation, and you will probably need a ride to and from the office. The procedure itself is relatively straightforward and generally doesn't take long.

After your procedure, you will be given post-op instructions. Sometimes an antibiotic or pain reliever may be prescribed. A softer diet may be recommended for a few days, and you'll want to avoid citrusy or spicy food and alcohol, which can delay healing.

Drinking with a straw, smoking, or rinsing vigorously with water or mouth rinse are also discouraged because the suction created can prevent a clot from forming or pull a clot out of the socket, causing a condition called dry socket.

Dry socket can affect up to 25% of people after wisdom teeth extractions. While we don't fully understand why a dry socket happens, it can cause extreme pain. If this happens, call the office immediately.

As we continue to evolve as a species, it's not uncommon for some people to only develop one or two wisdom teeth and, in rarer cases, none at all.

If you still have wisdom teeth, rest assured we will continue to watch their growth and position. If you have any questions about wisdom teeth or their development, give us a call. We're happy to answer all your questions!