Should i extract my wisdom teeth

Some dentists recommend removing wisdom teeth if they don't fully emerge. Many dentists believe it's better to remove wisdom teeth at a younger age, before the roots and bone are fully formed, and when recovery is generally faster after surgery.

This is why some young adults have their wisdom teeth pulled before the teeth cause problems. According to the American Dental Association, wisdom teeth removal may be necessary if you experience changes in the area of those teeth, such as:. The decision to remove wisdom teeth isn't always clear. Talk to your dentist or an oral surgeon about the position and health of your wisdom teeth and what's best for your situation. There is a problem with information submitted for this request.

Sign up for free, and stay up-to-date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID, plus expert advice on managing your health. Error Email field is required. Error Include a valid email address. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information and to understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your e-mail and website usage information with other information we have about you.

If we combine this information with your PHI, we will treat all of that information as PHI, and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of e-mail communications at any time by clicking on the Unsubscribe link in the e-mail.

Our Housecall e-newsletter will keep you up-to-date on the latest health information. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below.

Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization and proceeds from Web advertising help support our mission. Mayo Clinic does not endorse any of the third party products and services advertised.

Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them. Wisdom teeth are the upper and lower third molars , located at the very back of your mouth.

They are the last teeth to surface in the mouth. They are called wisdom teeth because they usually come in when a person is 17 to 21 years old—old enough to have gained some "wisdom. Some people have their wisdom teeth for their entire lives.

Other people choose to have their wisdom teeth removed, sometimes before these teeth have broken through the gums. If your jaw is not big enough to make room for your wisdom teeth, they may get stuck impacted in your jaw and not be able to break through your gums. An impacted wisdom tooth can crowd other teeth and create painful, swollen, and infected flaps in your gums.

Wisdom teeth that have broken through your gums may cause cavities and gum disease, because they can be hard to clean. Sometimes a cyst can form that can damage the bone or roots. Most problems with wisdom teeth happen when a person is 15 to 25 years old. Few people older than 30 have problems with their wisdom teeth that require them to be removed.

Most dentists feel that if you're 16 to 19 years old, you should have your wisdom teeth looked at. Some dentists and oral surgeons think it's best to have impacted wisdom teeth removed extracted before you're 20 years old, because it's easier to take them out when the roots and bones of your teeth are softer and not fully formed. As you get older, the bones around your teeth grow and get hard.

This makes it harder to remove the teeth. And when you're older, it may take longer for you to heal after you have had them removed. There is a small risk of death or other problems whenever a general anesthetic is used. The decision to have your wisdom teeth removed if they're not impacted has to be weighed against the risks and benefits of having them removed.

These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions. My dentist suggested that I have my wisdom teeth removed because already one of them is impacted. My parents and I agreed that the teeth should be removed, and I'm having it done now, while I am young.

My wisdom teeth came in when I was younger, but they haven't caused me any problems yet, so I am not having them removed. My dentist told me that few people older than 30 have problems with their wisdom teeth, and I don't want to deal with surgery unless I have to. I had my wisdom teeth removed because they were not coming in straight.

I felt it was best to take care of them then, rather than wait and take a chance that they would cause problems later on. I am not having my wisdom teeth removed, because I can't afford it. I don't have dental insurance and don't have enough money for the procedure.

I know that there is a chance that my wisdom teeth may cause problems later, but I hope that by then I will be able to afford the surgery.

Besides, I don't want to have surgery unless I really need it. I will try to prevent any problems by going to my dentist regularly. Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts.

Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements. I want to do whatever I can now to avoid problems with my wisdom teeth later on.

I want to wait and see if I have problems with my wisdom teeth before I decide to have them removed. I don't have dental insurance, and I can't afford to pay for the oral surgery myself.

Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now. How sure do you feel right now about your decision? Use the following space to list questions, concerns, and next steps.

Here's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision. I have a hard time cleaning around them, though, and my dentist says my wisdom teeth and the teeth and gums right next to them are in danger of starting to have problems.

I have diabetes that's pretty well controlled right now, so I'm going to have my wisdom teeth out now. My dentist said that if I wait until I have real damage to my teeth, my diabetes may be worse by then and I could have trouble healing up after the surgery. If my wisdom teeth are impacted, I might need to have them removed. It may be better to have my wisdom teeth removed when I'm younger than to wait and see if I have problems later on.

Are you clear about which benefits and side effects matter most to you? Do you have enough support and advice from others to make a choice? Author: Healthwise Staff. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Learn how we develop our content. To learn more about Healthwise, visit Healthwise.

This can limit the opening of the mouth and cause pain when doing so. Cysts can also form along the newly erupted molars, which can hollow out the jaw bones and damage the nerves of neighbouring, healthy teeth when left untreated.

We know that the mouth and nose are intricately connected, but did you know that impacted wisdom teeth can affect the sinuses? A lot of patients only realize that their wisdom teeth are impacted when they experience pain. But like any dental problem, it starts small and even virtually undetectable. When wisdom teeth erupt at an angle to the other teeth, or horizontally, they can cause the gums to swell and make it hard to clean.

These reddish areas along the gum line often feel sore to the touch, preventing proper brushing and flossing, eventually leading to cavities and tooth decay. For more information about wisdom teeth removal and its long-term oral health benefits, call Bloor West Smiles at , or contact us here. Powered by TechWyse TechWyse. Automated page speed optimizations for fast site performance. M6S 4W3. Book Your Appointment Today! Contact Us for More Information. When Not to Remove Wisdom Teeth This oral surgery has become practically a rite of passage for young adults.

When Wisdom Teeth Are a Problem In most cases, wisdom teeth need to be removed because they affect the rest of the teeth.