Gain Wisdom on Wisdom Teeth and Teens

From the Practice Blog · Originally published January 2, 2019

Wondering if your teenager needs their wisdom teeth removed? This third set of molars was once necessary to our ancestor's survival, allowing them to continue eating if they were to lose one or more of their permanent teeth. Since this extra set of teeth is considered to no longer be necessary, the majority of people tend to have their wisdom teeth pulled. While wisdom teeth are often pulled because they are not needed, they are also often pulled if it looks like they will cause problems with the existing permanent teeth. Wisdom teeth tend to start growing in around the age of 17, making it necessary for teenagers to see a dental professional as soon as their wisdom teeth begin to grow in.

According to the American Dental Association, wisdom teeth that are not removed should continue to be monitored because the potential for developing problems later on still exists.

When wisdom teeth begin to grow in

When wisdom teeth begin to grow in, whether or not a teenager will need their wisdom teeth pulled will depend on a few factors. If there is not enough room in the mouth for the wisdom teeth to grow in properly, then they should be pulled so they do not make the rest of the teeth crooked. Crooked teeth can lead to a teenager experiencing a number of dental issues, which is why straight teeth are so very important to a teenager's overall good dental health. If the wisdom teeth are not growing in properly and become impacted, then they need to be pulled because they can cause damage to the teeth that are already there.

When wisdom teeth need to be pulled

Before wisdom teeth are pulled, an experienced dentist will discuss the procedure with the teenager so they know exactly what to expect. This is the time for teenagers to ask any questions they have as well as make their anesthesia choice. While it often takes less than an hour to pull a wisdom tooth, it may take longer if the tooth is impacted or other issues are present. A full list of aftercare instructions will be given to the teenager, which need to be closely followed in order to avoid any complications.

Are your teenager's wisdom teeth currently growing in?

If you have any concerns about your teenager’s wisdom teeth, making an appointment with a dental professional as soon as possible is highly recommended. As stated in the information above, your teenager will need to have their wisdom teeth pulled if they are causing them any oral problems. The process for pulling wisdom teeth is a simple one, which means that your teen has no reason to feel anxious about having their wisdom teeth pulled. We invite you to contact us now so we can make an appointment at a time that is convenient for you and your teenager.