The Problem With Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth are a remnant of human evolution. They used to be very helpful to us thousands of years ago when humans, in general, were bulkier and had larger mouths. When humans had to tear at meat and chew on nuts, this extra set of teeth would be able to make these actions much easier. 

However, as humans have evolved, our mouths have gotten smaller and our jaws are no longer as powerful as they used to be. This may be because we have become accustomed to chewing on softer foods over the years. As a result, many of us no longer have room to accommodate wisdom teeth. 

This can be a problem for some people and may even result in removing wisdom teeth. Normally, wisdom teeth should come in straight at the very back of your mouth behind your last set of molars. In short, they should erupt much in the same way as your other teeth. 

However, in some people with small jaws, wisdom teeth may try to erupt in all kinds of ways. For example, your wisdom teeth may try to erupt sideways, which often will require making a wisdom teeth removal appointment. 

Some wisdom teeth may only partially erupt. In this case, you might be able to see that half of your wisdom tooth is above your gum line while the rest will refuse to erupt. This can cause a lot of irritation to your gum line and will often require removal. 



There is then, of course, the case in which your wisdom teeth don't erupt at all. In some cases, you might not have to worry about it at all. In other cases, however, these stubborn teeth may become impacted and again may require removal. 

Whether or not your teen needs to get his or her wisdom teeth removed from a dentist Lutz, FL, will depend on a variety of factors. If the wisdom teeth came in healthy, there may not be much of a need to have a dentist remove them. However, if this is the case, you should alert your teen to the fact that they will need to take extra care of these new teeth. 

This is because wisdom teeth tend to be hard to reach with floss or a toothbrush. For that reason, if you don't clean your wisdom teeth, they can quickly become filled with cavities and tooth decay. If this occurs and if the tooth decay becomes severe enough, you'll need to have those teeth removed anyway.

So, if your teen is adamant about keeping his or her wisdom teeth, remind them to brush their teeth regularly and as well as they can. Avoiding sugary foods and drinks can also help prevent tooth decay and cavities. On the other hand, if your teen's wisdom teeth are erupting sideways or not at all, the course of action is more straightforward.

If your teen's wisdom teeth are impacted, they'll need to be removed by your local dentist. When wisdom teeth are impacted, this means they are trying to grow into the jaw bone or into other nearby teeth. This can cause a lot of pain in the jaw and surrounding teeth. If left untreated, impacted wisdom teeth can result in an infection, which can sometimes even become life-threatening. 



However, as long a dentist quickly removes your teen's impacted wisdom teeth, there should be no complications involved. Sideways wisdom teeth and partially erupted wisdom teeth should also be removed since they can cause problems later on. 

Understanding Wisdom Teeth Removal

The process of wisdom tooth removal is actually quite simple. The dentist will administer some painkillers (or anesthesia, in some cases) to your teen. This will ensure that they won't feel any pain during the procedure. 

This is important because sometimes the dentist will need to cut open the gum line to remove a stubborn wisdom tooth. In other cases, if the tooth has already come to the surface, your dentist should be able to pull it out without any problems. 

Once the wisdom teeth are out, your teen will have their mouth packed with gauze to stop any bleeding. For the next week, your teen should eat only soft, cold foods. This will help the wounds heal as they should, and it will also prevent any irritation of the gum line. 



The holes left by wisdom teeth heal very fast. Within the week, your teen should be able to go back to school and function as normal. 

Everything You Need to Know about Wisdom Tooth Removal From Your Dentist in Lutz, FL

While many tend to fear wisdom tooth removal, you'll find that as long as you see a good dentist in Lutz, FL, you'll have nothing to worry about.

Whether or not your teen requires wisdom tooth removal will depend on various factors, but if it is necessary, they will heal quickly and be able to go back to school without any issues. 



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