You may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them. Show
Wisdom Teeth: Should I Have My Wisdom Teeth Removed?
Get the factsYour options
Key points to remember
FAQs Wisdom teeth are the upper and lower third molars, located at the very back of your mouth. They are the last teeth to surface in the mouth. They are called wisdom teeth because they usually come in when a person is 17 to 21 years old—old enough to have gained some "wisdom." Some people have their wisdom teeth for their entire lives. Other people choose to have their wisdom teeth removed, sometimes before these teeth have broken through the gums. If your jaw is not big enough to make room for your wisdom teeth, they may get stuck (impacted) in your jaw and not be able to break through your gums. An impacted wisdom tooth can crowd other teeth and create painful, swollen, and infected flaps in your gums. Wisdom teeth that have broken through your gums may cause cavities and gum disease, because they can be hard to clean. Sometimes a cyst can form that can damage the bone or roots. Most problems with wisdom teeth happen when a person is 15 to 25 years old. Few people older than 30 have problems with their wisdom teeth that require them to be removed. Most dentists feel that if you're 16 to 19 years old, you should have your wisdom teeth looked at. Some dentists and oral surgeons think it's best to have impacted wisdom teeth removed (extracted) before you're 20 years old, because it's easier to take them out when the roots and bones of your teeth are softer and not fully formed. As you get older, the bones around your teeth grow and get hard. This makes it harder to remove the teeth. And when you're older, it may take longer for you to heal after you have had them removed. After you have your wisdom teeth removed, you may have:
There is a small risk of death or other problems whenever a general anesthetic is used. The decision to have your wisdom teeth removed if they're not impacted has to be weighed against the risks and benefits of having them removed. Problems may occur if you don't have your wisdom teeth removed. For example:
Your dentist may suggest that you have your wisdom teeth removed if:
Compare your options
Have your wisdom teeth removed Have your wisdom teeth removed
Don't have your wisdom teeth removed Don't have your wisdom teeth removed
My dentist suggested that I have my wisdom teeth removed because already one of them is impacted. My parents and I agreed that the teeth should be removed, and I'm having it done now, while I am young. Zach, age 17 My wisdom teeth came in when I was younger, but they haven't caused me any problems yet, so I am not having them removed. My dentist told me that few people older than 30 have problems with their wisdom teeth, and I don't want to deal with surgery unless I have to. Suzanne, age 33 I had my wisdom teeth removed because they were not coming in straight. I felt it was best to take care of them then, rather than wait and take a chance that they would cause problems later on. Shaila, 29 I am not having my wisdom teeth removed, because I can't afford it. I don't have dental insurance and don't have enough money for the procedure. I know that there is a chance that my wisdom teeth may cause problems later, but I hope that by then I will be able to afford the surgery. Besides, I don't want to have surgery unless I really need it. I will try to prevent any problems by going to my dentist regularly. Nate, age 22 What matters most to you?Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements. Reasons to have your wisdom teeth removed Reasons not to have your wisdom teeth removed I'm not afraid to have my teeth pulled. I don't want to have my teeth pulled unless I have to. More important Equally important More important I want to do whatever I can now to avoid problems with my wisdom teeth later on. I want to wait and see if I have problems with my wisdom teeth before I decide to have them removed. More important Equally important More important I'm not worried about how much the oral surgery costs. I don't have dental insurance, and I can't afford to pay for the oral surgery myself. More important Equally important More important My other important reasons: My other important reasons: More important Equally important More important Where are you leaning now?Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now. Having my wisdom teeth removed NOT having my wisdom teeth removed Leaning toward Undecided Leaning toward What else do you need to make your decision?Check the facts 1, If my wisdom teeth are impacted, I might need to have them removed.
Certainty 1. How sure do you feel right now about your decision? Not sure at all Somewhat sure Very sure 3. Use the following space to list questions, concerns, and next steps. Your SummaryHere's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision. Next stepsWhich way you're leaningHow sure you areYour commentsKey concepts that you understoodKey concepts that may need reviewPatient choicesCredits
References Citations
You may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them. Wisdom Teeth: Should I Have My Wisdom Teeth Removed?Here's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision.
1. Get the FactsYour options
Key points to remember
FAQs What are wisdom teeth?Wisdom teeth are the upper and lower third molars , located at the very back of your mouth. They are the last teeth to surface in the mouth. They are called wisdom teeth because they usually come in when a person is 17 to 21 years old—old enough to have gained some "wisdom." Some people have their wisdom teeth for their entire lives. Other people choose to have their wisdom teeth removed, sometimes before these teeth have broken through the gums. What causes problems with wisdom teeth?If your jaw is not big enough to make room for your wisdom teeth, they may get stuck (impacted) in your jaw and not be able to break through your gums. An impacted wisdom tooth can crowd other teeth and create painful, swollen, and infected flaps in your gums. Wisdom teeth that have broken through your gums may cause cavities and gum disease, because they can be hard to clean. Sometimes a cyst can form that can damage the bone or roots. Most problems with wisdom teeth happen when a person is 15 to 25 years old. Few people older than 30 have problems with their wisdom teeth that require them to be removed. Most dentists feel that if you're 16 to 19 years old, you should have your wisdom teeth looked at. Some dentists and oral surgeons think it's best to have impacted wisdom teeth removed (extracted) before you're 20 years old, because it's easier to take them out when the roots and bones of your teeth are softer and not fully formed. As you get older, the bones around your teeth grow and get hard. This makes it harder to remove the teeth. And when you're older, it may take longer for you to heal after you have had them removed. What are the risks of having your wisdom teeth removed?After you have your wisdom teeth removed, you may have:
There is a small risk of death or other problems whenever a general anesthetic is used. The decision to have your wisdom teeth removed if they're not impacted has to be weighed against the risks and benefits of having them removed. What are the risks of NOT having your wisdom teeth removed?Problems may occur if you don't have your wisdom teeth removed. For example:
Why might your dentist recommend having your wisdom teeth removed?Your dentist may suggest that you have your wisdom teeth removed if:
2. Compare your options
Personal storiesPersonal stories about having wisdom teeth removedThese stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions. "My dentist suggested that I have my wisdom teeth removed because already one of them is impacted. My parents and I agreed that the teeth should be removed, and I'm having it done now, while I am young." — Zach, age 17 "My wisdom teeth came in when I was younger, but they haven't caused me any problems yet, so I am not having them removed. My dentist told me that few people older than 30 have problems with their wisdom teeth, and I don't want to deal with surgery unless I have to." — Suzanne, age 33 "I had my wisdom teeth removed because they were not coming in straight. I felt it was best to take care of them then, rather than wait and take a chance that they would cause problems later on." — Shaila, 29 "I am not having my wisdom teeth removed, because I can't afford it. I don't have dental insurance and don't have enough money for the procedure. I know that there is a chance that my wisdom teeth may cause problems later, but I hope that by then I will be able to afford the surgery. Besides, I don't want to have surgery unless I really need it. I will try to prevent any problems by going to my dentist regularly." — Nate, age 22 "I have had my wisdom teeth for many years, and they don't bother me. I have a hard time cleaning around them, though, and my dentist says my wisdom teeth and the teeth and gums right next to them are in danger of starting to have problems. I have diabetes that's pretty well controlled right now, so I'm going to have my wisdom teeth out now. My dentist said that if I wait until I have real damage to my teeth, my diabetes may be worse by then and I could have trouble healing up after the surgery." — Rosa, age 42 3. What matters most to you?Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements. Reasons to have your wisdom teeth removed Reasons not to have your wisdom teeth removed I'm not afraid to have my teeth pulled. I don't want to have my teeth pulled unless I have to. More important Equally important More important I want to do whatever I can now to avoid problems with my wisdom teeth later on. I want to wait and see if I have problems with my wisdom teeth before I decide to have them removed. More important Equally important More important I'm not worried about how much the oral surgery costs. I don't have dental insurance, and I can't afford to pay for the oral surgery myself. More important Equally important More important My other important reasons: My other important reasons: More important Equally important More important 4. Where are you leaning now?Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now. Having my wisdom teeth removed NOT having my wisdom teeth removed Leaning toward Undecided Leaning toward 5. What else do you need to make your decision?Check the facts1. If my wisdom teeth are impacted, I might need to have them removed.
That's right. Your dentist may recommend that you have your wisdom teeth removed if they cause pain or an infection, crowd other teeth, or get impacted and can't break through your gums. 2. It may be better to have my wisdom teeth removed when I'm younger than to wait and see if I have problems later on.
That's right. Some dentists think it's best to have impacted wisdom teeth removed before you're 20 years old, because it's easier to take them out when the roots and bones of your teeth are not fully formed. Decide what's next1. Do you understand the options available to you?
2. Are you clear about which benefits and side effects matter most to you?
3. Do you have enough support and advice from others to make a choice?
Certainty1. How sure do you feel right now about your decision? Not sure at all Somewhat sure Very sure 2. Check what you need to do before you make this decision.
3. Use the following space to list questions, concerns, and next steps. Credits
References Citations
Note: The "printer friendly" document will not contain all the information available in the online document some Information (e.g. cross-references to other topics, definitions or medical illustrations) is only available in the online version. What happens if you wait too long to get wisdom teeth out?Gum Damage and Inflammation
If left untreated for too long, patients have experienced facial swelling, muscle spasms in the jaw, and swollen lymph nodes. Even after treatment by a dentist, it can come back if the wisdom tooth is not removed.
How long should I wait to remove my wisdom teeth?Therefore the best time to remove wisdom teeth is either right before or at the time when they break through this bone barrier and while they are free of inflammation or infection. This generally takes place between ages of 15 to 17.
What happens if you dont take out your wisdom teeth?If you don't have your wisdom teeth removed, a partially erupted wisdom tooth can lead to bacterial infection called pericoronitis. Meanwhile, a wisdom tooth that doesn't erupt can lead to the development of a cyst which can damage bone and gum tissue. Wisdom teeth are also often removed because they come in crooked.
How do you tell if it's your wisdom teeth hurting?Symptoms. Red or swollen gums.. Tender or bleeding gums.. Jaw pain.. Swelling around the jaw.. Bad breath.. An unpleasant taste in your mouth.. Difficulty opening your mouth.. |