Each year in the United States, about 5 million people have between one and four wisdom teeth extracted. Most of these patients fall between the ages of 17 and 25, which makes sense because this is the window when third molars begin to move and erupt. It’s also an age range when patients are young enough to heal well after the oral surgery. Furthermore, as we age, the roots of wisdom teeth can continue growing into one’s 20s, making extraction more complex and invasive.
According to the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS), 85% of third molars–or wisdom teeth–eventually require extraction.
So, do young adults actually need their wisdom teeth removed?
This guide will equip you with information so that you can open a discussion with your dentist, Dr. Thomas Wegner of Oak Park, IL. If you’re ready to schedule an appointment, give us a call today at (708) 383-0330. The doctor will sit down with you and answer all of your questions after a thorough oral health examination with X-rays.
Spot the Symptoms
If during your late teens or early adult years you experience any of these symptoms, you may need your wisdom teeth removed.
- A throbbing, dull ache with tenderness around your third molars
- Swollen, red or purplish gums; they may bleed when you brush your teeth
- Difficulty to opening your mouth or stiffness in your jaws
- Bad breath and/or a bad taste in your mouth
- Earaches
- Headaches
You may also notice a partially erupted wisdom tooth with a flap of skin over it, making cleaning virtually impossible. This condition is known as pericoronitis, and the flap is called an operculum. Cleaning beneath the flap and keeping food from lodging there can be tedious and ineffective, resulting in cavities and irritated gum tissues.
Some patients begin to notice their teeth drifting out of alignment, especially if the patient previously wore braces and enjoyed good dental alignment. Crowding occurs when the patient’s arch is not large enough to accommodate third molars, but they push their way through anyway.
You may have heard about impacted wisdom teeth. The AAOMS estimates that 90% of us will experience an impacted tooth. Impaction happens when a third molar gets stuck pressing against a neighboring molar, so it cannot erupt. This promotes pain and infection, and it can even disrupt the position of other teeth, which alters a patient’s bite (occlusion) and appearance.
In rare cases, a cyst or benign tumor may form around an impacted wisdom tooth. This serious condition requires immediate intervention because surrounding bone and nerve tissues may become damaged.
To Remove or Not to Remove Wisdom Teeth
Not too long ago, dentists often recommended third molar extractions as a preventive measure. After all, issues like impaction, improper positioning, and difficulty cleaning the large back teeth can result in cavities, infection, and pain.
Modern dentistry is more conservative. If third molars are healthy, develop properly, cause no pain, and can be effectively cleaned with brushing and flossing, they can and perhaps should remain in place.
Wisdom Teeth Extraction–What to Expect
On the day of your extraction(s), plan to have someone drive you to and from your visit. Wisdom tooth extraction is an outpatient oral surgery, so you’ll go home shortly after the procedure. In preparation, buy soft foods like yogurt, mashed potatoes, and smoothies–but do not use a straw while your mouth is healing.
Dr. Wegner will make sure you’re comfortable throughout the extraction(s), and you’ll likely not remember anything once the anesthetic/anesthesia wears off. Expect about 45 minutes for each extraction. Your open sockets will be packed with gauze. We will provide instructions on when and how to remove and replace the dressing until bleeding stops, which is usually 30 minutes to an hour following the procedure.
Take a day or two off work because your mouth will be swollen for a few days and you may feel tired. During this time, you must follow our instructions on keeping your mouth clean. You should plan to relax, eat a soft diet, and avoid smoking. Use of a straw, smoking, and any sucking motion the first week following wisdom teeth removal can dislodge the scab forming in the socket, creating a painful condition called dry socket.
Dr. Wegner is happy to answer any questions about the procedure and recovery. We believe that knowledge is power. The more you know, the more confident you’ll feel.
Schedule a Wisdom Teeth Consultation
Ready to talk about wisdom teeth? Call our Oak Park dentist’s office at (708) 383-0330 today to reserve your appointment with Dr. Wegner. We are open Monday through Friday and offer Saturday appointments, as well. We look forward to seeing you soon!