Most people develop 32 adult teeth over the course of their life. Typically, the last teeth to emerge are the wisdom teeth, sometimes known as the third molars. These teeth usually erupt between the ages of 17 and 21 but may sometimes appear as early as age 11. The jawbone is simply not large enough to hold these final teeth for most people. This can lead to many problems, including chronic pain, that can only be remedied by having your wisdom teeth removed.

Even if you are not experiencing any symptoms, your dentist may still recommend that you have your wisdom teeth extracted to avoid health complications in the future.

Having the Wisdom Teeth Removed as a Preventative Measure

Just because your wisdom teeth are not currently causing you pain, that does not mean they will not contribute to problems in the future. For this reason, dentists typically recommend proactively removing them, stopping potential problems before they start.

The key thing to understand about wisdom teeth is that they can become impacted if there is no room for them. This means they remain partly or completely submerged under the gum tissue. This can lead to several concerns, including:

• Crowding issues, with the wisdom teeth potentially throwing your other teeth out of alignment
• An increased risk of infection, as impacted teeth are considerably harder to keep clean
• Cysts that develop along the gums, causing discomfort
• Chronic pain from the impacted wisdom teeth

Correcting any of these issues can be more challenging than simply having the wisdom teeth removed in advance. Wisdom teeth extraction is a common and very safe procedure.

The Benefits of Having the Wisdom Teeth Removed Early

Dentists will often recommend that patients have their wisdom teeth removed as soon as possible. There are a few reasons for this:

• If you wait until later in life to have the wisdom teeth removed, the extraction process can be more complicated.
• Extracting wisdom teeth later can also come with a prolonged or more difficult recovery time.
• Patients who have their wisdom teeth removed early significantly reduce their risk of further dental complications.

Should You Have Your Wisdom Teeth Removed?

If you are in your late teens or early 20s and have never had your wisdom teeth examined, we recommend you do so even if your wisdom teeth are not currently causing you any pain or discomfort.

Our practice has plenty of experience performing safe, comfortable, and expedient wisdom teeth extractions for patients in the Covington, LA area. Contact The OMS Center of South Louisiana at your convenience to schedule a wisdom teeth removal consultation.

Most people develop their wisdom teeth between the ages of 17 and 21, and in most cases, dentists recommend seeing an oral surgeon to have those teeth promptly extracted. Wisdom teeth removal is recommended as a preventative step, even if they are not causing you any kind of pain or other symptoms.

While your wisdom teeth may not be causing you any problems right now, they can still cause plenty of trouble down the road. Having them removed early on is a good way to sidestep unnecessary dental pain, or the need for more complex procedures.

Why Do the Wisdom Teeth Cause Problems?

The wisdom teeth are the last teeth to emerge, and for most people, the jaw simply is not large enough to accommodate them. When these teeth lack sufficient space to erupt as normal, the wisdom teeth can become impacted. In other words, they remain either partly or completely covered by gum tissue.

Impacted wisdom teeth can cause a wide range of problems later in life, which is why dental providers typically recommend having them removed as early as possible.

What Happens if I Leave My Wisdom Teeth in Place?

Wisdom teeth that remain in place can contribute to any of the following problems:

Overcrowding

With nowhere to go, the wisdom teeth can often push your other healthy teeth out of the way. Over time, your teeth may begin to shift and overlap one another. If this happens after orthodontic treatment, it can effectively negate the effects of your braces.

Abscess and Infection

In other cases, the wisdom teeth may simply remain impacted. The problem with impacted teeth is that they are very difficult to keep clean, which means they significantly increase your risk of abscess and infection. This increased risk, in turn, increases your risk for gum disease and tooth decay.

Other Issues

Additionally, leaving your wisdom teeth in place may contribute to ongoing pain later in life. And in other cases, the wisdom teeth can lead to either fluid-filled sacs or even tumors developing along the gums.

These are just a few of the most common consequences of leaving your wisdom teeth in place. Having wisdom teeth removed earlier in life makes the procedure and the recovery go much more smoothly.

Schedule a Wisdom Tooth Extraction Appointment

Your wisdom teeth may not be causing you any discomfort or other symptoms, but that does not mean you will not experience symptoms later. The best way to avoid this altogether is by having your wisdom teeth removed proactively.

To schedule a consultation with The OMS Center of South Louisiana, we welcome you to contact our Covington, LA office today. Call us at (985) 687-1616.