Wisdom Teeth: To Extract or Not?

Wisdom teeth are usually synonymous with pain, infection, crowding, and swollen gums. The general solution to these issues is extraction. But what if you don’t experience any of those symptoms? Located in Los Angeles, CA, Dr. Suzanne Haeri provides expert care for wisdom teeth, from extractions to dental hygiene. 

 

What Are Wisdom Teeth?

Wisdom teeth typically grow in the 17-25 age years, emerging in the upper and lower back areas of the mouth. Since they are the last to appear in the human mouth, they’ve garnered the title “wisdom” and presumably make you wiser. Wisdom teeth were once very useful in human history, aiding our ancestors to chew and tear tough roots, meats, nuts, and plants. But because most of the human diet today is soft and cooked foods, the need for wisdom is virtually none, with anthropologists suggesting their DNA may soon completely disappear from genetics.

 

When to Extract?

When a wisdom tooth can’t break through the gums or is stuck under the gums, this means it’s impacted. A wisdom tooth that grows at the wrong angle due to lack of room in the mouth also is impacted. Partially impacted wisdom teeth, which only slightly emerge from the gums are also a cause for concern. 

 

Your Los Angeles, CA dentist recommends an extraction when your wisdom tooth is impacted and you experience the following symptoms:

 

-Pain

-Infection

-Ulcers near the tooth

-Tooth decay

-Damage to nearby teeth

-Gum disease

-Trouble opening jaw

-Bleeding gums

-Sudden bad breath

 

Sometimes wisdom teeth, even if not impacted, don’t need to be removed because they cause no oral health issues. Here are examples of when you don’t need an extraction:

 

-Your wisdom teeth are healthy and fully grown in

-Your wisdom teeth are positioned correctly

-Your wisdom teeth are easily reached for proper dental hygiene

To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.suzannehaeridds.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Suzanne Haeri, DDS herself in our Los Angeles, CA office, call 310-657-2200.