However, does everyone need them removed? The truth is, no.
Some people go their entire lives without getting their wisdom teeth removed, and live a happy, and more importantly, healthy life. If you aren't sure if you will need to get your wisdom teeth out or not, there are a few general rules to give you an idea.
Reasons to Pull Wisdom Teeth
If your mouth is already crowded when your wisdom teeth start to descend into place, then you will likely need to have them extracted. This is to protect the teeth that were already in place.
However, if your mouth is wide and open, with more than enough room at the end of your jaw, your wisdom teeth may be able to stay right where they are.
For people whose wisdom teeth don't come in straight, extraction is often an option. Some unlucky few will have their wisdom teeth come in awkwardly.
They may come in pointing out towards the cheeks, or come in through the roof of the mouth. They may come in making your bite painful. If this is the case for you, extraction is often the best option.
Also, if your wisdom teeth come in partially, but not fully, the best option is typically to remove them. The leftover tooth that is still covered by the gums can quickly succumb to decay and other oral issues.
Your gums can hold on to food and debris, and cleaning behind partially impacted teeth can be very difficult. This can cause the tooth to rot, so to avoid that, the tooth (or teeth) are then removed.
To find out if you need to have your wisdom teeth extracted or not, contact our office. They are going to be the ones to know best!
