What age do you get your wisdom teeth removed

Wisdom teeth are the last teeth to erupt, normally at some point between the ages of 17-25. For some people, wisdom teeth can cause oral health issues such as overcrowding, impaction and increased risk of infection. Wisdom teeth removal is not always necessary, but around half of all patients will require at least one wisdom tooth be extracted to prevent future problems. In this blog post, Sydney Park Dental will be sharing some insight into wisdom teeth removal and when it may be necessary.

When Should I Have a Wisdom Teeth Evaluation?

Wisdom teeth usually erupt between the ages of 17 and 25, but an initial evaluation is usually performed between the ages of 15 and 19. It is good practice to attend routine check-ups on an yearly basis, as your dentist will be able to monitor the status of your wisdom teeth and overall oral health. It is important to have a wisdom tooth evaluation performed as early as possible, as removal later in life can come with additional complications.

Typical Reasons for Removing Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth removal is a very common procedure, and some of the most common reasons for it include:

Impacted Wisdom Teeth – when wisdom teeth are unable to erupt through the gums normally. They may grow at an angle or lack sufficient space to emerge properly. Typical symptoms include swollen or tender gums, jaw pain, bad breath and pain when opening your mouth.

Insufficient Space – sometimes wisdom teeth take up too much space in the mouth, which can cause issues with other teeth. If the eruption of your wisdom teeth causes overcrowding in the mouth, you will experience pain and discomfort and may notice some of your other teeth becoming damaged or misshapen.

Persistent Pain – the eruption of your wisdom teeth can cause pain. In some cases this will be intermittent, but if you experience persistent pain then you should visit your dentist so that an x-ray and examination can be performed. Extraction is not always necessary, as in some cases pain may subside naturally.

Infection – the wisdom teeth are difficult to clean, which makes them more prone to infection. In severe cases, extraction may be necessary. It is important to maintain good oral hygiene to minimise the risk of infection, which includes brushing and flossing daily whilst paying close attention to the third molars.

5 Symptoms Which Suggest You May Require Wisdom Teeth Removal

  • Pain and sensitivity at the back of your mouth
  • Gum inflammation
  • Bad breath and/or strange taste in your mouth
  • Stiff jaw or persistent pain
  • Sinus problems such as pain, headache, congestion and pressure.

Is Wisdom Teeth Extraction Painful? What is Involved?

Wisdom teeth extraction is generally straightforward, although depending on the positioning of your wisdom teeth there may be some challenges involved. Rest assured that your dentist will ensure you have a comprehensive understanding of the procedure, and you will be provided with local anaesthetic if necessary to numb the area and minimise pain. The team of dentists and oral surgeons at Sydney Park Dental are highly skilled at wisdom tooth extraction, and most patients find they do not even notice the tooth being removed. The procedure generally takes about 1-3 hours depending on the number of teeth to be removed and their positioning. Keep in mind that if you are required to have a general anaesthetic, you will need someone to drive you home and offer post-extraction care.

Experiencing Wisdom Tooth Pain? Book an Examination at Sydney Park Dental Today
Wisdom tooth removal is not always necessary, but it is important to have an understanding of the condition of your teeth. The team at Sydney Park Dental can examine your teeth and determine whether or not wisdom tooth extraction is necessary, book an oral examination at Sydney Park Dental by calling 02 8084 7170 or via our website today.

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Getting Wisdom Teeth Removed | Why Age Matters

What age do you get your wisdom teeth removed

Getting Your Wisdom Teeth Removed

Wisdom teeth are also known as third molars – the last teeth to file in. Talking about wisdom teeth can be scary for children and adults, because removing those teeth usually involves some form of surgery. As a result, we all fear dealing with the dreaded “impacted” wisdom tooth, yet we still watch the funny viral post-surgery videos on YouTube.

Thankfully, today’s modern technology and years of perfecting the procedure have helped us make wisdom teeth extractions a commonplace procedure with little discomfort during recovery. Even if you’re still worried about your family recording you on the way home.

What Is The Right Age for Wisdom Teeth Removal?

There isn’t necessarily a rule that states when people should get their wisdom teeth extracted. The soonest a wisdom tooth can safely be removed is after the root has developed to two-thirds of its adult size.

While it’s generally not necessary to remove a tooth this early, there are some cases where this will make sense for the best oral health results. Typically, wisdom teeth extractions are recommended between the ages of 18 and the early 20s. Some dentists even recommend having them removed earlier, depending on the structure of an individual mouth.

Around this age, though, wisdom teeth should be protruding through your gums, roots, and all. At this point, you should consult with your dentist, as there may be some issues with the rate of growth. If they are too developed, they can cause crowding and other issues that will shift the placement of your teeth. If they are too underdeveloped, they may need to stay a while longer before removal to ensure proper extractions can be made.

Also in this time frame, there are fewer risks for complications before, during, and post-surgery. Studies have shown that older patients experience more complications during the actual extraction process, as well as during postoperative recovery, in comparison to younger patients.

Why Waste Wisdom Teeth?

Many people’s jaws are simply not big enough to house wisdom teeth. This is how they get impacted, or stuck, in your jaw and unable to grow up through your gums like other teeth. Ouch! As wisdom teeth attempt to break through the gums, they crowd surrounding teeth and can lead to pain, swelling, and infection.

The wisdom teeth that do break through the gums may be so far back that proper cleaning and care is difficult – leading to cavities or gum disease. But you know what? Not all wisdom teeth always need to be removed.

Some people only need one or two extracted. It’s important to remember that wisdom teeth are not inherently bad by any means.

Benefits of Removing Your Wisdom Teeth

  • Less clutter means fewer orthodontic problems

As wisdom teeth grow and emerge, they can overload your teeth, causing damage to adjacent molars. When there is no room left for them, wisdom teeth can cause alignment problems over time as other teeth are slowly pushed out. As a result, removing your wisdom teeth reduces your chances of having braces or other expensive forms of corrective surgery to correct misalignment. If you’ve had braces or corrective dental surgery, wisdom teeth extraction will reduce the chances of you losing your beautiful smile.

  • Preventing damage to surrounding teeth

Pressure from wisdom teeth can weaken and even destroy the roots of adjacent teeth or wear away enamel, leaving adjacent teeth vulnerable to decay and bone resorption. In addition, wisdom teeth themselves can be very difficult to reach and therefore need to be kept clean.

Fully erupted wisdom teeth are considered impacted wisdom teeth. These are virtually impossible to clean. Wisdom tooth extraction can save you from the need for costly and uncomfortable root canal treatment and fillings.

  • Reducing the risk of dental disease and infection

Vulnerable to tooth decay and other forms of gun disease due to the existence of wisdom teeth, especially impacted teeth. A common consequence of impacted wisdom teeth is gingivitis, which can be persistent and difficult to treat. An infection under your gums can affect nerves or enter the bloodstream, becoming a condition called sepsis that affects the rest of the body. Sepsis can be a serious and life-threatening illness.

  • Oral and Maxillofacial Pain Relief

In addition to preventing tooth decay and disease, wisdom tooth extraction has the added benefit of relieving simple discomfort. Reducing pressure, reducing gingival sensitivity, and reducing tooth sensitivity are all possible by removing those painful third molars. The result is a better quality of life and fewer restrictions on the foods and drinks you can enjoy. Pressure from wisdom teeth can also cause chronic headaches.

  • Preventing Cysts, Tumors and Jawbone Damage

Impacted wisdom teeth can be a breeding ground for bacteria, which can lead to cysts or tumors that invade the jawbone and cause temporomandibular (the sliding hinge) joint pain, severe, requiring specialist treatment.

Should I Have My Wisdom Teeth Removed?

Everyone has two options: to remove or not to remove. Of course, we’d all rather keep the teeth and not have issues if possible. However, if your wisdom teeth are causing pain, an infection, crowding other teeth, or are impacted – extraction is the way to go.

Not dealing with crowding, impaction, or pain? You may be the lucky winner of a pretty set of wisdom teeth. You get to keep yours! Either way, your dentist will be able to help you make the best decision for your mouth and body.

Beyond general symptoms, as long as you regularly meet with your dentist, they will take x-rays of your teeth and jaw. These x-rays will allow your dentist to predict the growth patterns for your wisdom teeth. Some people have space in their mouths, but many people do not.

If it looks like your wisdom teeth are growing in sideways, then they’re impacted and will need to be removed. Otherwise, they can lead to overcrowding, crooked teeth, and even gum infections. And yes, they can even push your teeth out of alignment if you’ve already had braces.

What’s the Youngest Age To Get Wisdom Teeth Removed?

The right age to get wisdom teeth is different for everyone. For most, the best age to get their wisdom teeth removed is around age 18. However, it’s usually recommended to get the wisdom teeth extracted before they grow in all the way. So, it’s possible to get your wisdom teeth out as early as age 13.

What’s The Average Age To Get Wisdom Teeth Removed?

The recommendation from the American Association for Oral Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS) is to get the wisdom teeth removed between the ages of 13 and 20. Depending on where you look, the average might be age 17 or 18. Please contact and consult your pediatric dentist to figure out the best age to remove wisdom teeth.

Wisdom Teeth Removal At 45

Getting your wisdom teeth removed after the age of 40 is often risky. At this age, it becomes more likely that the nerves next to your wisdom teeth might get damaged during the wisdom teeth removal process, which can lead to serious dental problems. Also at this age, your teeth will be more firmly attached to your jawbone. As a result, one of the risks of this oral surgery is damage to your jaw.

Find Out About Your Child’s Wisdom Teeth at Snodgrass-King Dentistry

If your child is a teenager, start talking to your dentist about wisdom teeth. It doesn’t hurt to get their early opinion and begin devising a plan for the future. And yes, that plan may change. But you’ll be prepared!

Have more questions? Give us a call or request an appointment easily online. It’s our mission statement is “We keep you smiling for life!”

So whether you need dental care for yourself or for your child, make an appointment at Snodgrass-King Dentistry today!

Snodgrass King2022-09-19T16:35:58-05:00

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Can you get your wisdom teeth removed at 13?

If you do not have enough room in your mouth for your wisdom teeth to erupt into proper position it is best to have them removed before the wisdom teeth are fully developed. For some patients, this may be as early as 13 or 14, for others it may be as late as 17 or 18 years old.

Can you get wisdom teeth removed at 16?

Wisdom teeth can be extracted at any age after they erupt. But the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS) notes that most patients opt to have them out between the ages of 17-25. The reasons are pretty simple.