Wisdom teeth are the molars in the very back of your mouth that do not appear until later in life. For most people, wisdom teeth do not erupt above the surface until the teenage or early adult years. Once they start to grow, they can cause issues like pain and pressure, which may be dangerous as time goes on. A visit to your dentist in Norco will help you gain more clarity on the dangers posed by your wisdom teeth. By monitoring them with X-rays, the dentist will be able to tell if you need to be referred to an oral surgeon.

Best Age to Remove Your Wisdom Teeth

Keep reading to learn more about the best age to remove your wisdom teeth. You can also pick up on some great strategies and tips for keeping your mouth healthy before, during, and after your wisdom teeth removal.

Ages 18 to 20

Although it’s possible for wisdom teeth to be removed at any age, it is usually recommended that they be removed in early adulthood. This is because it’s much easier to remove wisdom teeth in younger patients, and they are less likely to cause problems later in life, such as impacted tooth decay or gum disease.

In addition, the risk of nerve damage during surgery and recovery is lower for young patients. However, it’s possible to have wisdom teeth removal performed at any age if the patient has good dental health and there is plenty of room in the mouth for the third molars.

Age 21 to 25

Every year, your dentist takes routine X-rays of your teeth and jaw. In addition to detecting cavities, these X-rays can help track the growth of your wisdom teeth. If your third molars aren’t growing properly, you may need to have them removed – and soon. If left untreated, impacted wisdom teeth can cause pain, damage, and infections.

Oral surgeons typically remove wisdom teeth before the roots fully form. This reduces the risk of complications during and after surgery. It also allows for a faster healing time. However, it’s never too late to have wisdom teeth removal surgery.

Age 26 to 30

Typically, wisdom teeth grow between the ages of 18 and 25, but each person’s mouth is different, so they may not come in at that time. Even so, most oral surgeons will recommend wisdom teeth removed before age 25 at the very latest. By this time, most people’s bodies will stop growing, and they will be less likely to have impacted wisdom teeth that require removal surgery.

The other reason for early extraction is that the root of the wisdom tooth hasn’t yet fully formed, which means there is a lower risk for complications during surgery and healing following surgery. Once the roots fully form, it can be more difficult to remove a wisdom tooth and can also increase the chances of causing damage to other teeth.

Age 35 to 40

Those who wait until after age 30 to have their wisdom teeth removed are at risk for more complications, such as partially erupted wisdom teeth that trap food and can easily get infected. Moreover, the impacted wisdom teeth are more likely to cause bone and tissue damage as they attempt to erupt through the gums. Most people’s jaws don’t have enough room for wisdom teeth, which is why they often become impacted. Impacted wisdom teeth can crowd other teeth and lead to pain, swelling, and decay.

Removing Your Wisdom Teeth ASAP

Despite these guidelines, every patient’s wisdom teeth development is different. A dentist can monitor wisdom tooth growth with X-rays and other diagnostic scans to determine when it is safe to remove the molars. Patients should also be aware of symptoms such as a hard or aching feeling behind the molars, which may signal impaction or infection.

Visiting your dentist regularly can help prevent problems with your back molars and streamline the removal and recovery process. The team at Absolute Family Dentistry can help you feel more comfortable with wisdom teeth extractions after you schedule a personal consultation.