Wisdom Teeth Removal: Should You Keep Them?

When do you need to remove your wisdom teeth?

It’s not necessary for you to get your wisdom teeth extracted if they are accurately positioned in your mouth and if they do not cause you any dental problems or pain. A dentist will recommend that you have your wisdom teeth removed if; they cause crowding in your teeth, or if they are impacted. There are two ways wisdom teeth may grow. 1. Some will grow in like normal teeth and 2. Some will become impacted.

Impacted wisdom teeth mean they are blocked from growing in properly. They typically reside below the surface of your gum line and lie horizontally instead of standing upright like normal teeth. This mostly happens because there isn’t sufficient room for them to grow in. On occasion, they may sprout out sideways and towards another tooth. Keeping an impacted wisdom tooth that slightly sprouts can be difficult to keep because it can be a place for plaque and bacteria to develop. With time, this may promote the development of cavities and even worse, it can lead to much larger infections which can grow outside of just your teeth.

Impacted wisdom teeth can likely collide with the roots of your molars and this can cause extreme pain for you. In addition, while your impacted wisdom tooth is trying to grow, the wisdom tooth itself can wear down the adjacent tooth and lead to multiple dental issues. If you decide to keep your wisdom teeth, be sure to floss your teeth on a consistent basis, getting all the way to the back teeth. And be sure to use fluoridated mouth wash.

What if my wisdom teeth are grown in and don't cause pain?

If this is the case, the decision is up to you. Wisdom teeth that cause minimal crowding and don’t cause pain are fine to keep, although a lot of dentists will recommend that they be removed. Why? They are very receptive to cavities and they are not easy to clean. If your wisdom teeth have cavities and you cannot clean them due to their location, filling the cavities is not smart because you’ll continue to develop more cavities. The simplest way to avoid this problem is to remove your wisdom teeth altogether.

When should you get your wisdom teeth removed?

There is no “correct age” for when to remove your wisdom teeth. Some people get their wisdom teeth at a young age, while others don't get them until they are an adult. If you need to remove wisdom teeth, the smartest option is to remove them at a younger age because the healing process would be a bit quicker. However, if you’re in your 40s with all your wisdom teeth and they cause no oral health complications, taking them out is not required. If you’re unsure, you should see a dentist to get a proper examination and treatment plan for your wisdom teeth.

Is it painful to have your wisdom teeth removed?

No, it shouldn’t be. With proper anesthesia, you should only feel pressure/pushing, but not pain. If you do feel any sort of “sharpness”, or pain, let your dentist know that you’re not fully numb.

Some people don’t have wisdom teeth?

That is correct. Don’t worry if you don’t have wisdom teeth. Some people just don’t grow them. Lucky them!

What foods should I eat after having my wisdom teeth removed?

Are you or a loved one about to get your wisdom teeth removed? Eating can be difficult after the extraction of your wisdom teeth, which is why we’ve assembled a list of some soft foods to eat:

Pudding
Gelato
Smoothies
Mashed potatoes
Scrambled Eggs
Hummus
Soup
Yogurt
Milkshakes
Applesauce
Jello
Sorbet
Milk
Meal Replacement shakes
Protein shakes