As we grow older, our teeth begin to change, fall out, get replaced with new teeth, get cavities and more. Wisdom teeth pop through in the very back of your mouth and some individuals can experience pain and many problems because of their wisdom teeth. 

Knowing when and if you will need your wisdom teeth removed can depend on the space in your mouth, whether they are impacted and how they grow in. We have gathered some information to help you know when you should remove them and how it can impact you later in life.

More About Wisdom Teeth

The meaning behind the name wisdom teeth can give you some clues as to when they may appear and when you should have them removed. They were given their name because they usually appear at a more mature age. Some wisdom teeth come in at different times for different people, but most adults get them from the ages of 17 to 21. 

Some adults get anywhere from 1-4 wisdom teeth in the back corners of your mouth. On a very rare occasion some may have extra wisdom teeth above the normal 4, if this is the case, it is more important to get them removed in a timely manner. Because each person and each mouth is different, consulting with your dentist is the best way to determine how your wisdom teeth are growing in and when they will need to be removed.

What Age Is Best?

Because the teeth can start to come in between age 17 and into your 20’s it is hard to pinpoint one age or time to have them removed. If your wisdom teeth do not get removed during your early adult years, they could cause you problems later in life. Keeping the teeth in your mouth for longer may cause jaw problems, are susceptible to cavities, or may even become infected. 

You can get them removed later on in your adult years if they start to bother you, but the recovery time might take longer. Removing wisdom teeth too early may also cause a longer recovery time, because the tooth may still be located under the gum. Choosing an age to remove your wisdom teeth is not as important and assessing if you need them removed. Some common reasons to start considering extraction can be:

• Pain
• Infection
• Cysts
• Tumors
• Damage to neighboring teeth
• Gum disease
• Tooth decay
• Unable to clean
• Complications with orthodontic treatment 

Can It Wait?

Some patients experience no issues with their wisdom teeth and have plenty of room for them to grow in. Other people never get them. It is possible to extract just one tooth that is causing issues in your mouth or all four may be removed at one time, especially if you are being put to sleep for the procedure. 

Waiting too long to have your wisdom teeth removed can cause cysts to burst, infection to spread or your teeth to die. Once you think your wisdom teeth have started to come in, talk to your dentist at each visit about what may be best. The teeth can be monitored and only removed if completely necessary. 

If you are planning to leave the country for an extended period of time, serve a humanitarian mission or moving to a place where you don’t know if you will have dental coverage, it is best to just have the teeth removed and avoid any complications. 

Wisdom Teeth Removal

Wisdom teeth extraction is considered oral surgery and usually requires sedation, anesthesia, numbing agents, pain, and intense after care. Wisdom teeth that are impacted can be hard to remove and cause the dentist to need to cut into your gums. Some patients may even need stitches after removing the teeth. Talking to your dentist will help you to know how long it will take you to recover. 

The after care of removal is essential. Keeping the holes clean and free of food particles helps prevent infection and helps to heal faster. Proper brushing can help keep your mouth clean and prevent bacteria from spreading. It is also important not to irritate the surgical site, so you will need to eat soft foods and lots of liquids. 

Gunnell Family Dentistry

Our family dentistry provides many services for patients of all ages. We provide family and emergency dentistry, implants, cosmetic dentistry and more. To view more of what we offer you can visit our website. 

Getting wisdom teeth removed is not the only service that you should visit your dentist for. Regular exams, teeth whitening, and smile makeovers are other dental services that can help protect your oral health. Visit our website for more testimonials and to learn about our two dentists.

Many individuals experience tooth sensitivity and it can occur for a variety of reasons. If you are experiencing tooth sensitivity it is usually nothing too serious but here are some common reasons that your teeth may be sensitive.

Cavity 

Cavities are often associated with pain, but some individuals feel tooth sensitivity or nothing at all. Cavities are permanently damaged areas in the hard surfaces of your teeth and develop into tiny holes. This can also be called tooth decay and can be the cause of your tooth sensitivity. Visiting your dentist can quickly tell you if you have a cavity and solve the problem and sensitivity quickly. 

Teeth Grinding

Tooth enamel is one of the strongest substances in your body, but grinding your teeth often can wear down that enamel. Wearing down the top enamel on your teeth exposes the dentin or the middle layer of your tooth. This contains hollow tubes that lead to your nerves and could cause sensitivity. Your dentist can make suggestions on how to stop grinding your teeth and offer a night guard. 

Acid From Food Or Other Acid

If your nerves are already exposed, eating acidic foods or beverages can cause pain. Eating acidic foods overtime can also slowly wear down tooth enamel. Food such as soda, tomato sauce, lemon, pickles, or other citrus fruit can cause your teeth to wear down and be prone to sensitivity. 

Brushing twice a day can help prevent these acidic foods from wearing down your teeth. This prevents build up and keeps your teeth clean so as to not let the foods wear into your teeth. 

Mouthwash Or Teeth Whitening

If you are an avid user of whitening products or mouthwash, some of these products contain alcohol which can make your teeth more sensitive. If your toothpaste contains whitening agents and you experience tooth sensitivity, consider switching to a different one. You can also switch to a mouth rinse that is neutral or ditch it all together and be more diligent about teeth brushing and flossing. 

Gum Recession

Gum recession usually comes from gum disease. As new parts of your teeth are exposed it can cause sensitivity. Gum disease is something to have checked out by your dentist immediately as well before it progresses. Visiting your dentist to help heal or prevent gum disease can relieve the sensitivity. A dentist can also suggest that a seal be put on your teeth to keep the disease from recurring. 

Broken Tooth

As mentioned earlier cavities create holes in your teeth where bacteria and other plaque can build up and cause pain. Broken or cracked teeth also have crevices that can become infected. 

Even if the crack or broken tooth is not infected, a cracked tooth can cause pain. If you think you have cracked or broken your tooth, visit your dentist to see if a cap or extracting the tooth is necessary. Once the tooth is fixed, your sensitivity should go away. 

Age

Most medical conditions increase with age, but tooth sensitivity is actually at its highest for adults between the age of 25 and 35. 

Gunnell Family Dental

Our family dentistry provides many services to help keep your oral health in the best shape. If you don’t take care of your oral health, you can experience tooth decay or tooth loss. Regular visits with us can help prevent cavities or the need for dental surgery. 

We offer services for your whole family and preventive care to keep your teeth from cavities and tooth sensitivity. With locations in Logan, UT and Hyrum, UT we can serve a majority of Utah residents. 

Visiting the dentist may not be fun, but regular visits help you to avoid pain and discomfort. Our friendly staff well help you to be comfortable and get you in and out of our office with great service. Contact us today to schedule your appointment.