The Tooth of the Matter: A Dental Blog
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The Tooth of the Matter: A Dental Blog

You only have one set of adult teeth, and they need to last until you are 80, 90, or beyond. The actions you take towards your teeth today will either benefit you or harm you in the future. Of course, good dental care starts with seeing a dentist regularly. You should go in for cleanings and checkups, and any other time you think something might be amiss with your teeth. Education is important when it comes to any aspect of your health, so start reading the articles on this website to educate yourself about dentists and dental care. We promise that when you're 80 and you still have your teeth, you won't regret the time spent.

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The Tooth of the Matter: A Dental Blog

Do You Have To Have Your Wisdom Teeth Extracted?

Sofia Curtis

Having teeth pulled out of your mouth might seem alarming or downright scary, so it's understandable for some folks to want to try and avoid this procedure. For some, it's actually possible, but most will need to have their wisdom teeth extracted. If you're wondering why, this guide will clear up the reasons for you.

The Usual Problem

The biggest reason why people typically have their wisdom teeth extracted is that they don't have enough space in their mouth for them. The human jaw has become shorter since the days where everyone's wisdom teeth grew in naturally, so in many people, there isn't a place for the wisdom teeth to emerge from the gums properly. This can result in them overcrowding neighboring teeth or emerging from the end of the gums, instead of the surface, which can be quite painful and would ultimately require extraction.

Potential Side Problems

If it were just a matter of having enough space, your dentist would be able to tell right away if you had a mouth cut out for keeping your wisdom teeth. Unfortunately, there are often other problems tied to these teeth.

In some people, wisdom teeth will come in sideways. This might sound like it just means that they're crooked, but it really doesn't. Imagine a tooth lying on its side while still hidden under the gums. This can happen. When it does, that tooth will push on the neighboring teeth and won't stop because the body is trying to get the tooth to emerge through the gums. This can be excruciatingly painful and can harm your neighboring teeth, damaging them and potentially triggering their loss.

What to Expect

Unless you're explicitly told otherwise by your dentist, chances are you'll need to have your wisdom teeth taken out.

The process is quite simple. You'll come into the office and will settle in for the treatment. Your dentist will administer anesthesia to put you to sleep while the procedure is being done. During the procedure, small incisions will be made in the gums to pull out the wisdom teeth. Then, they'll be stitched closed, and you'll be woken up. That's really it. 

Getting your wisdom teeth taken out doesn't have to be scary or painful. Your dentist will make sure that you remain comfortable during the entire procedure. If you haven't set up an appointment to have your wisdom teeth extracted already, then make one to get some dental x-rays to find out how they're progressing.


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