Wisdom teeth, also called third molars, are at the back of the mouth and are typically the last adult teeth to come in, if they do come in at all. Wisdom teeth usually appear between ages 17 and 21, but problems can develop sooner that require wisdom teeth removal.

An impacted wisdom tooth occurs because the jaw isn’t large enough to accommodate these teeth, causing the teeth to grow sideways, partially emerge or remain trapped beneath the gum. When wisdom teeth break only partially through the gums, it makes them difficult to clean and can also lead to infection in the gums. In addition, impacted wisdom teeth can cause pain and damage to other teeth, but they may not cause any apparent problems at all, which is why regular dental visits and x-rays at this age are vital. Wisdom teeth removal is usually recommended either way, as even those impacted wisdom teeth that cause no symptoms can result in problems down the road.

Even when wisdom teeth come in properly, their placement in the back of the mouth can make it difficult to properly clean them, resulting in decay. It’s also not uncommon for wisdom teeth to be associated with cysts, which can damage the bone or tooth roots. Symptoms that can point to wisdom teeth problems are pain; jaw stiffness or swelling; bad breath or an unpleasant taste in the mouth; infected, red or bleeding gums; and difficulty swallowing or opening the mouth all the way.

Whether or not wisdom teeth are causing problems or wisdom teeth pain, it can be best to remove them before a patient turns 20 because removing them when the patient is more difficult and more likely to cause complications. The younger a patient, the more likely the wisdom teeth’s roots haven’t fully formed and the bone surrounding the teeth is less dense, which makes wisdom teeth removal easier. But, patients over the age of 30 who haven’t had wisdom teeth problems aren’t likely to need them removed.

Schedule a wisdom teeth consultation today

When it comes to wisdom teeth, each patient is unique. At Caffaratti Dental Group, we monitor your child’s regular x-rays to look for signs of impacted wisdom teeth or other warning signs, allowing us to catch problems early. If we determine wisdom teeth removal is the best route for your child, our 3D images will help us determine what type of surgery and sedation makes the most sense for him or her. But, if you have concerns between appointments that your child could be suffering from wisdom teeth pain, or you are a new patient who would like a Sparks wisdom teeth removal or Sparks impacted wisdom teeth consultation, call us at (775) 358-1555, and we’ll get you in right away.