Many people, especially young adults, end up needing to have their wisdom teeth removed. If you still have yours, you might be wondering how you’ll know when it’s time for them to go. Keep reading for all you need to know about wisdom teeth extraction.
Knowing When to Go
How should you know when your wisdom teeth need to be extracted? Your dentist will ultimately help you make that decision, but there are some signs to look out for. Common signs that your wisdom teeth are “impacted” include painful or swollen gums, bleeding, stiff jaw, bad breath, or problems opening your mouth. Even just the appearance of the teeth from beneath the gums is often a sign it’s time to think about extraction. So, if your wisdom teeth begin to emerge without these symptoms, make sure you still broach the subject at your next routine visit to your dentist’s office.
Why Can’t I Keep Them?
Thanks to evolution, we don’t really need our wisdom teeth anymore. They used to help us out when we ate a much different diet, one of the hard to chew foods like seeds, grasses, and tough, raw meats. Now that that’s way in the past, wisdom teeth actually tend to do more harm than good. That’s because our jaw sizes have trended smaller, so there’s no room for the extra teeth by the time they come in. As a result, you can end up with shifting teeth, infection, and other problems. So if your dentist says they need to go, listen!
Wisdom Teeth Removal in College Station, Texas
If you still have your wisdom teeth, let’s talk! We’ll help you decide when it’s time to get them out. And, when the time does come, let our experienced team here at Hooks Family Dentistry do the extraction for you. Give us a call to schedule your next visit!
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