Did you know that wisdom teeth and their effects plague almost everyone at some point in their lives? It’s true—and if you’re in your late teens or early 20s and your general dentist has expressed some concerns about the position of your wisdom teeth, chances are you’ve been referred to a board-certified dental surgeon like our doctors at Associated Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons to discuss wisdom teeth extractions.
Oftentimes, our doctors visit with patients who want to wait until they’re older before they have their wisdom teeth removed. But the truth is, our dental surgeons, like many others, recommend that patients have wisdom teeth extractions sooner, rather than later. To find out more, keep reading.
Wisdom Teeth. What’s Their Purpose?
As you know, most Galesburg patients undergo wisdom teeth extractions at some point in their lives, so you may be wondering why wisdom teeth are even part of your dental anatomy. Well, until relatively recently, humans didn’t have access to proper dental care, and for quite some time, taking care of one’s teeth wasn’t important. Because of this, most people would lose several teeth by the time they were in there late teens or early 20s. The delay in receiving wisdom teeth meant that the appearance of 4 new molars was often a welcomed addition to a lacking set of teeth. In fact, many people regained oral function when their wisdom teeth came in.
However, now that we have access to good oral hygiene and modern-day humans do not lose their teeth at the same rate our ancestors did, there’s simply no room left in the mouth when it’s time for wisdom teeth to erupt. Because of this lack of space, these molars are often stuck (or impacted) below the gum line, causing a whole host of problems. For this reason, our doctors recommend patients choose wisdom teeth extractions at the first sign that these molars are ready to come in.
It’s Recommended to Have Wisdom Teeth Extractions When You’re Young
As we’ve mentioned, most dental professionals will recommend patients choose wisdom teeth extractions as early as possible. This is due to the fact that as we age, the jawbone becomes harder and harder, which makes it more difficult to remove wisdom teeth. In addition, the recovery process goes smoother for those who are younger and whose jawbone hasn’t fully matured.
Moreover, you will protect your remaining teeth when you choose wisdom teeth extractions while you are young, as oftentimes these new molars cause cavities, infection, and crowding of existing teeth, which can disrupt your nice, straight smile.
If your general dentist has recommended wisdom teeth extractions, the first and recommended thing you can do is schedule an initial consultation with one of our doctors in Galesburg. During your appointment, they will perform a full oral evaluation, take X-rays and images to determine the position of your wisdom teeth, and work with you to develop a treatment plan to successfully remove your wisdom teeth.
Call Our Doctors in Galesburg Today
If you’ve been dealing with discomfort caused by your wisdom teeth, or you believe they have started to erupt through your gum line, don’t hesitate to call our doctors in Galesburg to schedule your initial consultation.
You can reach us by calling (309) 247-8691, where a member of our team will be happy to assist you.
