If you’re high school or college senior, you’re probably preparing for graduation, applying for jobs—and struggling with wisdom tooth pain. Your wisdom teeth are your third molars in the very back of your mouth that develop during the late teenage years. Studies show that about 75 percent of people will eventually need to have their wisdom teeth extracted. As you plan your summer parties, Dr. Stephen Burds wants to remind you to schedule your summer extraction, as well.
Why do I Need to Remove my Wisdom Teeth?
In many cases, patients do not have enough space in their mouth for third molars to grow in properly. If your wisdom teeth don’t have enough room to grow, they will stay impacted, which means they sit below the gums. If your teeth break through your gums but only partially erupt, your gums may become infected and swollen. Furthermore, wisdom teeth may develop in a misaligned position. As your third molars try to force their way into your mouth, they will put pressure on other teeth and cause pain, crowding, and inflammation.
When Should I Remove my Wisdom Teeth?
It’s important to remove troublesome wisdom teeth to alleviate your pain, tension, and alignment problems. When wisdom teeth erupt at bad angles, it can be difficult to clean your molars, contributing to tooth decay and gum disease. Some dentists recommend removing wisdom teeth as a precaution before any problems develop. However, as a conservative dentist, Dr. Burds will take X-rays to detect wisdom teeth development and alignment. He will then decide if removal is completely necessary.
If Dr. Burds suggest extracting your wisdom teeth, we recommend scheduling your procedure as soon as possible. Keep in mind that your wisdom teeth are easier to extract when you’re younger, because the roots have not fully developed and your bone is less dense. Dr. Burds also recommends scheduling your extraction during the summer because you’ll be out of school and have plenty of time to rest, heal, and recover from your procedure.
Dr. Burds may also need to extract a tooth due to damage, injury, or periodontal disease. Contact Gateway Dental Group in Des Moines, Iowa at (515) 244-9565 to schedule a tooth extraction. We welcome patients from Des Moines, River Bend, Kirkwood Glen, East Village, and neighboring communities.