While it is very common for wisdom teeth to be extracted when kids become teenagers and the wisdom teeth start emerging, adults also get wisdom teeth removed. You may have enough room in your mouth for your wisdom teeth, but the dentist may still recommend that they be removed. Why? One of the most common reasons that wisdom teeth are extracted in adults is gum disease, also known as periodontal disease.
It is simply much harder to brush the wisdom teeth, which are far back into the mouth. Because of this, wisdom teeth can develop more plaque and tartar than the rest of the teeth. This makes the gums surrounding the wisdom teeth far more susceptible to periodontal disease. Extracting the wisdom teeth removes the ability of bacteria to cling to plaque.
How Are Wisdom Teeth Extracted?
Wisdom teeth are usually at least partially impacted, which means that wisdom teeth removal is a type of oral surgery. We will take digital X-rays to see where the wisdom teeth are placed, and then create a removal strategy. Our team will give you explicit instructions on what to expect for the wisdom teeth removal. We may also prescribe oral sedation to help make the process more relaxing.