Over 90% of Americans have their wisdom teeth removed. Wisdom teeth are the last permanent teeth to develop: they start forming in the jaw around ages 7-10, their crowns and roots develop further around ages 12 to 14, and they usually emerge between ages 17 and 25, with most people having them by age 21, though some come in earlier or later. For parents and guardians of kids nearing their teenage years, that timeline helps explain when wisdom teeth should be watched, when a dental evaluation may be needed, and when removal becomes more likely.
Impacted wisdom teeth are the most prevalent medical and developmental disorder, making wisdom tooth extraction a common preventative procedure that we perform. As your child enters the teen years, with early evaluation commonly recommended between ages 16 and 19, it may be time to have a dentist evaluate their wisdom teeth with panoramic X-rays. Often a child’s dentist or pediatric dentist will refer you to a dentist or oral surgeon, like Dr. Davis, or other oral health specialists for evaluation and treatment planning. Knowing the eruption timeline, the signs of wisdom teeth, and the reasons wisdom teeth may need to be removed can help you act before impacted teeth, infections, bleeding gums, tooth decay, or shifting teeth create bigger problems and help you decide when to schedule an appointment with the Oral Facial Institute for removal.
Why Remove Them?
Wisdom teeth can cause discomfort as they emerge. They are also very prone to complications if left in the mouth for too long. Removing wisdom teeth early is often recommended because most people do not have room in their mouths to allow wisdom teeth to grow correctly, causing them to become impacted. Without space to emerge, wisdom teeth apply pressure on the rest of the teeth causing other teeth to shift in the jaw. If the teeth have room to grow, they are still in a hard-to-reach position and encroach on a major nerve in the jaw as the roots develop, which is why many patients wonder if wisdom teeth really need to be removed.
Because the teeth are located so far behind the second molars, it becomes difficult to clean them properly, which can cause a buildup of plaque and bacteria. As plaque accumulates on the back teeth, cavities form on the second and third molars. Not only can decay in the form of cavities occur, but a large number of bacteria can also cause soft tissue infections, cysts, and other abnormalities around the teeth, often requiring an oral surgeon to perform extractions for several common reasons for tooth extraction.
What Are the Signs
Wisdom teeth take a significant amount of time to develop completely. However, early detection can allow monitoring before determining whether the teeth need removal. As your child nears age 16, your dentist might point out the growth of the third molars on an x-ray at a regular appointment. When these teeth emerge, they tend to cause some discomfort, although some patients might not experience any, and wisdom teeth may still need extraction even when they are not in pain. If your child is experiencing pain at the back of their mouth, wisdom teeth could be the suspect cause, and it is reasonable to wonder how to tell if you have wisdom teeth.
The common symptoms or signs that the third molars might be erupting include, especially as your child approaches the best age to remove wisdom teeth and may need to visit an oral surgeon:
- Pain, often followed by a recovery period where it helps to know what to expect after wisdom teeth removal
- Infection
- Facial Swelling, which after extraction can sometimes be associated with complications like dry socket after wisdom teeth removal, and may be managed more comfortably with appropriate oral surgery anesthesia options
- Swollen Gums, which can be particularly concerning for teens preparing for extended travel or service such as wisdom teeth removal for missionaries
Bottom Line
Wisdom tooth extraction is very common. As your child nears age 16, their wisdom teeth are most likely emerging. Whether your child is experiencing any signs or symptoms, it could be a sign to consider an assessment with our Oral Facial Institute team. Dr. Davis can offer your child an accurate evaluation and timeline for wisdom tooth extraction, explaining the benefits of having a tooth extracted and drawing on his experience as a board-certified oral surgeon in St. George, Utah.
Schedule an appointment with Dr. Davis and his trusted team at the Oral Facial Institute for a consultation for Wisdom Teeth removal today, where we offer dedicated wisdom teeth removal in Mesquite, NV, a full range of tooth extraction services, and long-term restoration options like dental implants in Mesquite, NV alongside our oral surgery services in Mesquite, NV and comprehensive oral and maxillofacial procedures.