When Should I Have My Wisdom Teeth Removed?

During the teen years or early adulthood, many people discover a third set of molars growing in their mouth. These are called wisdom teeth. Most people have these teeth removed because they can cause discomfort or decay. A small number of people will never develop any wisdom teeth, and some may have wisdom teeth but do not need them removed. Everyone is different, even when it comes to teeth, so the age at which you have your wisdom teeth removed will probably differ from the people around you.

Wisdom teeth usually grow in between ages 17 to 25, although it can happen before or after that. If you are 17 or older and you’ve never had a dentist check for wisdom teeth, it’s time to make that appointment. This is the first step. Your dentist will check your wisdom teeth (if you have any) and will be able to tell you if they are causing or will cause any problems in the future, as well as if, and approximately when, you should have them removed.

No matter your age, you should have your wisdom teeth removed if they are:

• Causing you pain

• Impacted within your jaw

• Partially erupted

• Crowding nearby teeth

The only circumstances in which wisdom teeth do not need to be removed is if they fit all of these criteria:

• They have grown in completely and are fully erupted.

• They are positioned correctly without crowding other teeth or causing a misaligned bite.

• They can be cleaned properly.

Having your wisdom teeth removed can be an intimidating decision to make, but Hale Family Dentistry is here to help you through the process so stop by our office today!