As you age, your teeth erupt in stages. The first set of teeth that will come up while you’re still an infant are your incisors. Your canines will come up later followed by your premolars and then your molars. The last set of teeth to come up are your wisdom teeth which usually come up between the ages of 17 and 25. Normally, people will develop four wisdom teeth with one behind the molars on each side of the upper and lower jaw. If you are over 25 years old and have not developed wisdom teeth yet, there is no need to worry. There are those who never grow them.
When do you need to remove your wisdom teeth?
You will not need to remove your wisdom teeth unless they become impacted—blocked from growing properly. Impacted wisdom teeth usually grow horizontally below the gum line because there is no space for them to grow upright. When your wisdom teeth are impacted, they can cause pain and other dental problems.
What if they have grown in without pain?
If your wisdom teeth have come up without pain or any other signs of a problem, your dentist may still recommend they be removed because wisdom teeth are especially susceptible to cavities as their location makes them difficult to clean. Even when you have them, they may continue to develop cavities. So, to avoid such problems your dentist may remove them, but the choice is yours.
At what age should you remove your wisdom teeth?
Some people have their wisdom teeth removed as teenagers while others wait until they are older. While there is no set age for you to remove them, the younger you are, the quicker the healing process will be. If you are over the age of 40 years and have all your wisdom teeth without any issues, it is no longer necessary for you to remove them.
Does it hurt to have your wisdom teeth removed?
Wisdom teeth removal is a process that is done with the use of anesthesia. For that reason, the procedure should not hurt. You may, however, feel some pressure or pushing. If you feel any pain during the procedure, let your dentist know that the area is not numb.
What can you eat after wisdom teeth removal?
Eating may be a challenge after wisdom teeth removal. So, you may need to have soft foods such as pudding, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs and smoothies for a while after the procedure.
Are you searching for a dental clinic that offers wisdom teeth removal in Surrey?
If you are in Surrey and want to have your wisdom teeth removed, come see us at Newton Village Dental Clinic. For over 25 years, Dr. Patrick Nguyen and his experienced team have provided patients with dental services, products and knowledge to help them improve their smiles. We welcome patients of all ages and our clinic is accessible to those with disabilities. In addition to our wisdom teeth removal and other general dental services, we offer a variety of cosmetic treatment options as well.
So, what are you waiting for? Give us a call today to schedule an appointment.