It is very rare that your dentist will agree that your wisdom teeth may be okay to keep. “As long as they’re healthy!” is no longer a good enough reason to keep them as you will still have to watch for signs of trouble. If the trouble happens when you’re 70 years old, you’ll then have a really serious issue that could have been prevented. In the past, having your wisdom teeth removed seemed to be a rite of passage. A majority of those getting their wisdom teeth removed were high school seniors or graduates that were having them removed before leaving for college.
The way of thinking used to be that it was best for the health of your mouth because these wisdom teeth are so hard to keep clean, and if you didn’t have them out after middle school or high school, you ran a higher risk for your teeth to become crowded. Now you have to consider that if they don’t fit properly in your mouth they can cause an infection. Wisdom teeth are known as your third molars and emerge after your jaw has stopped growing and your other teeth have filled your mouth which leads to them being:
- Misaligned
- Impacted fully below your gums
- Impacted partly below your gum line
In the past, many oral surgeons and dentists have felt that it was best to take them out in an effort to be safe and avoid any issues in the future.
Parents and young adults want more information on why these teeth need to be removed, especially if they are healthy and not causing any problems. With that being said, according to the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, these teeth may be okay to keep but you will need to watch out for any issues by undergoing exams and getting X-rays regularly. At Dr. Patty’s Dental Boutique & Spa in Fort Lauderdale, we will make sure that you understand all of your options with your wisdom teeth and other general dentistry needs.
How Will You Know if Your Wisdom Teeth Need to Be Removed?
With the raging debate regarding the extraction of wisdom teeth, along with the overabundance of publications aimed at clarifying this procedure, and varying advice from dentist to dentist, it’s hard to be certain whether or not you should get yours removed. Non-surgeons and patients argue that there are too many extractions performed that are not necessary. This can lead to you being confused, frustrated, and not sure what to do next.
You will need to consider several factors when evaluating wisdom teeth and deciding if they should stay or go. These include:
- Cavities risk
- Braces
- Presence of gum disease or gingivitis
- Age
- Dental Crowding
When you schedule a complimentary consult at our boutique, a cosmetic dentist will be sure to go over every available option to you and decide on the best treatment plan for your specific situation.
Wisdom Teeth and Your Risk for Cavities
At Dr. Patty’s Dental Boutique & Spa, we believe that if you have ever had one cavity in your mouth, this is the biggest sign that your wisdom teeth should come out. Wisdom teeth have an increased chance of developing a cavity. Along with that, your second molar may become a victim to tooth decay as well because of your wisdom teeth. This is because the positioning of your wisdom tooth makes it hard to clean around. While you can try and get the tooth filled, we believe that it is easier to just get your wisdom teeth extracted.
Braces and Your Wisdom Teeth
If you’ve had braces, or are currently undergoing orthodontic treatment you should have your wisdom teeth out to decrease the risk of dental crowding in your mouth. The prime age for wisdom teeth to come in is between the age of 17 and 25 which is the same time that many people are getting or ending their orthodontic treatment. Wisdom teeth can mess up your new, perfectly aligned teeth. We recommend the extraction of wisdom teeth along with orthodontic work. If you need your wisdom teeth removed, you can follow this survival guide for tips on your extraction.
Gum Disease and Wisdom Teeth
During your dental visit, we will also evaluate the pocket depth measurement behind your second molars. If your pocket depth is 5mm or more, it can begin to comprise your second molars negatively. These pockets tend to increase over time and if your wisdom teeth are impacted, it will have a negative effect on the health of your gums. While these bacteria will decrease after removing your third molars, you may have to deal with the gum disease that is already in your mouth, which we can do at Dr. Patty’s Dental Boutique & Spa so that your smile can continue to be radiant.
Age and Wisdom Teeth
Studies have shown that as you age, your risk increases of having periodontal defects on your second molar if you still have your wisdom teeth. Also, as you age, the number of cavities that can be found on your third molars will increase. Next, recovery may be more difficult as an older adult. Therefore, the goal for removing your wisdom teeth is at a younger age, because once you are older, your body takes a longer amount of time to heal, and will have a lower pain threshold. However, if you need your wisdom teeth removed to improve your oral health, you will be in the best hands in our dental boutique. We have performed thousands of extractions and are experienced and skilled in this procedure.
Wisdom Teeth and Dental Crowding
Wisdom teeth are often blamed for dental crowding within a client’s mouth. Yet, this correlation is hard to confirm or exclude as the problem. Crowding within your mouth can be caused by an assortment of conditions. If your mouth is crowded and you still have your wisdom teeth, we may suggest extraction as part of your treatment plan. Extractions at Dr. Patty’s Dental Boutique & Spa have been known to be extremely comfortable! Check out our reviews. We even offer sedation so that you can relax in our dental chair, and use up-to-date technology like PRP to ensure that our clients can go to work the next day.
What is Your Next Step?
While not every client needs to have his or her wisdom teeth extracted, there are certain situations in which you may need them removed. At Dr. Patty’ Dental Boutique, we will be sure to consider every factor when examining your wisdom teeth and the current condition of your mouth and oral health. Contact our office today for a complimentary consult so we can answer any questions or concerns that you may have in regards to your wisdom teeth.