Q: At what age should I have my wisdom teeth removed?
A: When wisdom teeth are healthy and properly positioned, they are assets. So there is no set age at which they should be removed. Problems, however, often develop with wisdom teeth, making their extraction necessary. If the jaw, for instance, isn't large enough to accommodate wisdom teeth, they can become impacted. This means that the teeth are unable to come in at all, or become misaligned. Sometimes wisdom teeth grow sideways, come in only part way, or they get trapped under the gum and bone.
Extraction is generally recommended when the teeth only partially erupt through the gum. This leaves an opening for bacteria that can cause an infection. The result is pain, swelling, jaw stiffness and overall illness. Misaligned wisdom teeth threaten damage to adjacent teeth. A cyst develops that also can damage adjacent tooth roots or bone. In some cases, a dentist may refer a patient with wisdom teeth problems to an oral surgeon. Talk with your dentist about the status of your wisdom teeth.
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