Your wisdom teeth, also known as the third molars, are the last molars to come in. Most people’s wisdom teeth erupt when they’re between 17 and 25 years old. You could have between 1 and 4 third molars, but some people don’t have any! If you do, why would we need to extract them?
When Wisdom Teeth Need to Come Out
The majority of people with wisdom teeth need them extracted at some point. There are a few reasons why. If the third molars come in at an angle, they cause a shift in your smile and crowd your mouth. This makes it trickier to clean your teeth and prevent cavities. Wisdom teeth can also get stuck or impacted beneath your gums. When this happens, they usually cause pain and damage to your other teeth.
Signs You Need Your Wisdom Teeth Removed
When your wisdom teeth erupt or start causing problems, you’ll most likely feel something. Here are some signs that it’s time for extraction:
- Swelling, red, and/or tender gums
- Pain or discomfort in your gums and jaw
- Shifting, crowded teeth
- Persistent bad breath
If you keep up with your dental appointments every six months, we’ll catch problems early. We can remove your wisdom teeth before you start feeling a lot of pain.
What’s the Extraction Process Like?
Getting your wisdom teeth out can be intimidating, but we’ll walk you through the process in detail. You’ll receive an anesthetic before we start, so you won’t feel any pain. The surgery itself usually takes about an hour. After surgery, you can’t drive yourself home, so be sure to set up your transportation beforehand. Our dentists, Dr. Trogdon and Dr. Stroope will provide detailed instructions on aftercare, so the healing process goes as smoothly as possible.
High-Quality Dental Care in Farmington & Fayetteville
Visit Farmington Dental & Orthodontics for all of your dental needs. Questions about wisdom teeth extraction or our other services? Please don’t hesitate to contact our office today! We’re proud to serve Farmington, Fayetteville, and the surrounding areas.
