Group 33
1 min read

Should I Have My Wisdom Teeth Removed?

Have you ever wondered why your third set of molars is called wisdom teeth when there is absolutely nothing wise about them?  They are called wisdom teeth because these teeth generally appear during the late teens or early twenties, which has ironically been referred to as the “age of wisdom.”

Wisdom Teeth Cause Problems

So, if your third molars are not causing you any problems, then should you have them removed?  The answer is yes.  It is very unlikely that these teeth will be a valuable asset to your mouth.  On the contrary, wisdom teeth typically cause many problems including:

  • Jaw pain
  • Misalignment of surrounding teeth
  • Infection
  • Pain
  • Swelling
  • Tooth decay
  • Gum disease
  •  

I advise removal of wisdom teeth prior to problems developing.  Extraction is easier and much safer in younger people when roots are not fully developed and the bone is less dense.  Recovery and healing time increases incrementally with age.  Following wisdom teeth surgery, it will generally take about seven to ten days to recover for a younger person.  It is important to consider your school, athletic and/or musical schedules when scheduling surgery.

__________________________________________________________________

For more information about wisdom teeth, please call Dr. M. James Clark at the Technology Forest office of Northwest Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery.  Dr. Clark and his colleagues at Northwest Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery are board-certified oral surgeons practicing in The Woodlands, Conroe, Spring, Magnolia and Huntsville.

Related Articles

7 Tips to Help You Survive After Wisdom Teeth Surgery

Young businessman with ideas as symbol of business creativity
While you might not be looking forward to having your wisdom teeth removed, at least you know you’re not alone. The American Association of ...
Read More

Wisdom Teeth: Should They Stay or Should They Go?

patient receiving dental work
Have you ever considered that teeth serve as milestones in life? Much is made of the appearance of a child's first tooth, and then approxima...
Read More

Wisdom Tooth Pain: Causes and Cures

If your wisdom teeth are starting to cause pain it’s probably time to have them looked at. There are a few reasons why your wisdom teeth mig...
Read More