Am I Wise To Remove Wisdom Teeth?
by Dr. Stephen J. Parr D.D.S.
Read Am I Wise To Remove Wisdom Teeth? by Dr. Stephen J. Parr D.D.S. to learn more about Grove Smiles® Dentistry and our Dentistry office in Coconut Grove, FL.
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Ahh! As parents we look forward to the age of maturity and wisdom from our lovely and often challenging teenagers. The right of passage can also generally coincide with the painful pangs of their last set of teeth – their wisdom teeth.
More About Wisdom Teeth
The last teeth that grow into our mouths are a set of four molars most commonly known as wisdom teeth. These wisdom teeth date back to to the needs of our earliest ancestors. By the way of evolution our modern jaw line is smaller and may not simply be large enough to accommodate our wisdom teeth. In this case, the most noticeable effect most often seen is that of over crowding, where the wisdom teeth can become impacted and push and can cause tremendous pain. While in other cases there is actually no need to remove the teeth, and the patient’s mouth will be perfectly healthy leaving them in place.
The Big Question For Dentists
As a dentist for over thirty years I have very often been asked this very question, “Should we remove my son’s/daughter’s wisdom teeth?”. When the parents of my Coconut Grove, FL patients broach the topic of wisdom teeth they will discover there’s no single answer on what to do with wisdom teeth for every patient. What I do share are the most common adverse effects of the wisdom teeth eruptions which are infections and decay, in the gums and surrounding teeth respectively. For example, wisdom teeth erupt at angles and therefore food particles and bacteria are often trapped, leading to inflammation of the gums and/or tooth decay. While these conditions are often painful, more problematically they can develop into advanced problems such as periodontitis — a well-progressed form of gum disease where the infection has spread to such an extent that only through aggressive treatment and prescription medication can a patient fully recover.
The Best Answer
The best advice and recommendation I give in regards to wisdom teeth is to have a dental professional evaluate the condition of your wisdom teeth, and work with you to form a plan of action that will keep you at your healthiest. Our team at Grove Smiles Dentistry, led by me – Dr. Stephen Parr, offers for you to come and have a full examination and consultation to help you understand the best wisdom in regards to removing or keeping your wisdom teeth. Let us help you continue to plan for a happy and healthy smile for a lifetime. We look forward to hearing from you soon!
For Your Health,
Dr. Stephen J. Parr D.D.S.
