Wisdom Teeth

It probably comes at no surprise to you that many people been to the dentist to have their wisdom teeth extracted. You probably remember those times, when you were younger. Around high-school or early into your college years, your classmates and probably even yourself were getting your wisdom teeth pulled. In a way, it can seem like a rite of passage. Plus, you got to stay home from school! But did you know that not everyone gets their wisdom teeth extracted? What happens to those people?

We can perform oral surgeries for your entire family.

To Extract or Not Extract?

Actually, wisdom teeth extractions aren’t always necessary. However, in many cases, they are. Understanding how wisdom teeth grow in can help us understand why only some people need their teeth extracted.

The real issue with wisdom teeth is that they don’t grow in until long after your other adult teeth have staked out their place in your mouth. Years later, these huge molars start trying to crop up out your gums! In most cases, there’s nowhere for these new teeth to go. However, they seem determined to make a way. The wisdom teeth start to grow in at an angle or completely sideways. This causes the rest of the teeth to shift in your mouth.

If your gums have enough space to accommodate the wisdom teeth, it’s likely that the teeth will grow in correctly. In that case, the rest of the teeth will still be fine. Therefore, you won’t need to get your wisdom teeth removed. As you can see, we remove the wisdom teeth to preserve the health and alignment of the rest of the teeth in your mouth.

Toothache? Visit a dentist!

How Can You Tell If You Need Your Wisdom Teeth Extracted?

There’s really no way to guess whether you or your child will need wisdom teeth extraction. People try to predict based on genetics, prior oral health, and even be just looking at their teeth and gums. But the fact is, only a qualified dentist can let you know whether you need the surgery. At the first sign of these final molars coming in, visit the dentist. Especially if you feel pain because the teeth are coming in, you want to know before any damage is caused. An x-ray can show us if you need those teeth removed, or if they are growing in correctly.

Call Gentle Dental Care when it’s time for you or your child’s next dental exam. We perform teeth extractions, including but not limited to wisdom teeth. You can reach us at (281) 855-1100 or set your appointment online.