Wisdom teeth are the last teeth to erupt, typically between the ages of 17 and 25. Most people have them, but don’t be surprised if your x-rays reveal that you don’t have any. Some studies show that 35% of the population was born without wisdom teeth, and some only have 2 or 3 of them, not all 4. If you do you have your wisdom teeth, chances are you will need to have them removed. Dr. Gallagher at Overland Park Family Dental provides wisdom teeth extractions with a gentle touch to ensure his patients are comfortable, relaxed, and pain-free for the procedure.
Why Get Your Wisdom Teeth Removed?
Most people have all of their permanent teeth in by the time they are 12 years old. By the time your wisdom teeth arrive, your existing teeth will be very much set in place and happy with where they are. Most of the time, wisdom teeth cause more problems than good because they don’t come in correctly.
wisdom teeth can:
- Come in at an angle and damage your molars
- Cause your existing teeth to move out of position
- Not fully erupt and become infected
- Cause damage to your jaw
- Affect your bite and cause mouth pain
Sometimes, even if it looks like wisdom tooth removal isn’t necessary and they are coming in ok, it might be suggested to have them removed anyway as a preventative measure. As you get older, your jaw will become much harder and make the wisdom tooth removal procedure much more difficult. Since you don’t really need any more teeth, simply having them removed takes away the possibility of them causing problems later on.
How Dr. Gallagher Can Help
Dr. Gallagher can monitor the growth of your wisdom teeth and give you his advice on how to best proceed. If you decide to have them removed, Dr. Gallagher will be able to perform the extractions right from his office. If the wisdom teeth have become impacted and are looking like they need some extra care, he may refer you out to a specialist for the procedure. Either way, Dr. Gallagher has your best interests at heart and will make sure you are fully informed along the way, ultimately letting you make your own decision on whether or not you would like to have your wisdom teeth removed.
Wisdom Teeth Removal FAQs
What happens if you never get your wisdom teeth pulled out?
We often recommend getting your wisdom teeth removed to avoid overcrowding and painful eruption. However, it’s possible that your wisdom teeth may not pose any threat to your oral health. We will discuss your unique dental needs at your initial consultation.
When should I remove my wisdom teeth?
There is no precise age that you should have your wisdom teeth removed. Ultimately, our goal is to remove them before they begin causing you pain. Each case is different and the perfect time to have your wisdom teeth removed varies.
Is wisdom tooth removal painful?
At Overland Park Family Dental, we do everything we can to make your oral surgery as comfortable as possible. After your tooth extraction, we will provide you with detailed aftercare instructions to alleviate residual pain and provide you with a speedy recovery.
How long does it take to recover from a wisdom tooth extraction?
Typically, you’ll want to take 2-3 days off of work or school for your wisdom teeth recovery. Your gums may take several weeks to begin closing up, but you will be able to return to daily tasks much sooner than that.