Reclaim Your Mouth and Look at the Facts About Wisdom Teeth!

We all have wisdom teeth, but do you really know all there is to know about this set of molars? When do they come in? How do you know when and if you should have them removed? Rochester dentists, Dr. Nozik & Dr. Tumminelli at White Spruce Dental will help you gain some wisdom about wisdom teeth. 

A Little Wisdom About Wisdom Teeth

You go through many changes in your life, and your mouth is no different. One big change your mouth goes through is when your wisdom teeth come in, which normally happens between the ages of 17 and 21. 

Giving Wisdom Teeth Room to Grow

Sometimes wisdom teeth can cause problems if there isn’t enough room for them to break through the gums, or if they come in the wrong direction. This can cause your teeth to become impacted, which means your wisdom teeth are stuck beneath the surface and aren’t able to break through the gums. When you go see your dentist, they will keep an eye out for the following issues:

• Wisdom teeth that are in the wrong position can cause food to get trapped, which gives cavity-causing bacteria the perfect place to grow.
• Wisdom teeth that have come in only part way give bacteria a place to grow can cause infection in the gums. 
• Wisdom teeth that do not have enough room to come in can crowd or damage the teeth beside them. 
• An impacted wisdom tooth can cause a cyst. These cysts can cause damage to the roots of other teeth or destroy the bone that helps to support your teeth. 

Why You Might Need to Have Your Wisdom Teeth Removed

Every patient is different, but sometimes your wisdom teeth may need to be removed when there is evidence of the wisdom teeth are causing damage, such as: 

• Pain or discomfort
• Infection
• Cysts
• Tumors
• Damage to teeth next to your wisdom teeth
• Gum disease
• Tooth Decay 

Your dentist may recommend removing your wisdom teeth as part of a treatment plan for braces or other dental care.  Before they decide, your dentist will do an examination of your mouth and take x-rays. Once complete, you and your dentist can work together to decide on the best treatment option will be for you.  If you have any questions, or would just like to get more information on wisdom teeth or whether to have them removed, call us. We are seeing new and existing patients, and our staff would love to sit down with you and discuss your situation. We will answer questions and determine the best treatment option for you!

Should You Keep Your Wisdom Teeth?

Even if you don’t have any issues with your wisdom teeth, and you decide against having them removed, you should continue to see your dentist regularly so they can monitor your teeth and make sure no new issues are developing. As you get older, the risk is greater for health problems, which also includes potential problems with wisdom teeth.  Make sure you floss around your wisdom teeth and keep up with your appointments with your dentist.  Please call White Spruce Dental today to schedule your next appointment!