Even though the name makes them sound impressive and important, humans don’t really need their wisdom teeth anymore. Once used for grinding roots and meat, the evolution of our diet over time has rendered them unnecessary. While a small percentage of the population will have healthy, functioning wisdom teeth or simply not develop them at all, most of us will need to have these primitive molars extracted. If you’ll soon be contributing to the nearly 10 million third molars that are pulled every year, here are some important facts about removing wisdom teeth in Deer Park.
Wisdom Teeth Can Cause Problems
If a wisdom tooth doesn’t have enough room to grow, it will often come in crooked or sideways. This is referred to as an “impacted” tooth, which can cause multiple problems:
- The surrounding healthy teeth can be damaged as the wisdom tooth pushes against them.
- The tooth can easily become decayed or infected since it’s difficult to clean.
- The bacteria the tooth accumulates can enter your bloodstream and cause larger overall health issues.
- Occasionally, fluid-filled cysts or tumors will form and damage your jawbone and nerves.
Wisdom Teeth Should Be Removed Even if You Don’t Feel Them Yet
Like many oral health issues, just because you don’t see or feel any problems doesn’t mean they’re not there. Your dentist in Deer Park will keep tabs on the development of your wisdom teeth with the use of X-rays at your regular dental checkup. If they’re discovered to have the potential to create complications in your mouth, your dentist will most likely suggest extraction. This will usually happen sometime in your teenage years or early twenties, when the wisdom teeth are still developing. Removing them within this window of opportunity can make the process easier, as well as lower your risk of complications and boost your recovery speed.
There’s No Need to Stress About the Extraction Procedure
Hearing that your wisdom teeth need to be surgically extracted can be intimidating at first. However, this common procedure is safe, comfortable, and rarely presents any complications. If your specific case is more complex, oral surgery specialists are available to help with the removal process with prioritizing your comfort. Once the wisdom tooth or teeth have been removed, you’ll be free to go home and relax. Since reduced activity and soft, cold foods are important for a speedy recovery, this is a great time to enjoy some ice cream or a smoothie while watching your favorite TV show!
If your dentist recommends extracting your wisdom teeth, there’s no need to be nervous. Just remember these facts and be confident that you’re making a smart decision for your health and your smile.
About the Practice
At Deer Park Family Dentistry, our team of skilled dentists prioritizes creating and maintaining the happy, healthy smile you deserve. For most patients, this requires extracting one or more wisdom teeth. A wisdom tooth examination and consultation appointment can help us determine if those back molars will cause you issues in the future. If necessary, we’ll be happy to work with you to make a personalized treatment plan. If you have any questions, feel free to reach us at our website or at (281) 479-2841.