Most people have 4 wisdom teeth, these teeth are the last teeth to develop in the mouth and are located in the back of the jaw. Wisdom teeth normally erupt between the ages of 15 to 25 years old (if they erupt at all).
Often times, wisdom teeth become impacted due to a lack of space for them to fully grow into the mouth. This can cause swelling or pressure to build and cause discomfort in the back of your jaw. If the wisdom teeth become impacted, a number of problems can arise such as;
- Infection
- Cyst formation
- Damage to adjacent teeth
- Possibly crowding of other teeth in the jaw
Generally, the recommendation to remove wisdom teeth is made primarily to prevent long-term dental problems and prior to developing any symptoms. The best time to have the wisdom teeth removed is typically between 17-18 years old because this is the time before the roots of the wisdom teeth fully develop and the bone in the jaw is still relatively ‘soft’ which results in a shorter and more comfortable healing process.
However, if you are noticing pain, swelling, fever, and or having trouble swallowing please call us immediately, as you may need your wisdom teeth out as soon as possible.
If having your wisdom teeth out makes you nervous, we can help! Oral sedation is commonly used to deal with anxiety, and when used in combination with local anesthesia the appointment can be very successful. If you would like more information as it pertains to you specifically or have more questions, please contact us at Mission Park Dental to reserve a consultation time with Dr. Wong to find out more.
(250) 868-0030
