Can I Keep My Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth are the last teeth to come in. They grow at the back of your mouth and can cause problems with surrounding teeth if they do not come in correctly. These problems include crowding, shifting of teeth, and tooth pain.

We recommend a person get their wisdom teeth removed sooner rather than later because of how painful the recovery process can be for an older person.

What makes a wisdom tooth impacted?

A wisdom tooth is classified as impacted if teeth are still below the surface of your gums and jawbones and show no signs of erupting. Teeth can also be partially impacted, which means that a small portion has erupted. When a tooth is partially erupted, there is an increased risk of decay.

Decay is likely because of the weird positioning of the tooth. Oftentimes these teeth are harder to brush.

A completely impacted tooth can cause other issues because teeth that are still beneath the surface and cause other teeth to shift position, intermingle with roots, and cause immense pain.

When should wisdom teeth be removed?

There is no exact age at which a person should have their wisdom teeth removed. However, we recommend the procedure be performed as early as possible. This minimizes damage to surrounding teeth and can save you both money on procedures and pain.

What is wisdom tooth removal like?

We perform wisdom tooth removal under anesthesia, so you don’t feel or remember the surgery. This procedure is quick, usually lasting less than 30 minutes for uncomplicated cases. During the surgery, Dr. Faleye will make an incision in your jaw, cut through, remove the tooth, then suture the area closed. It’s really that simple.

After the procedure, you’ll wake up and need a family member or friend to take you home. We will review care instructions as well as what you can eat. Generally, we recommend soft foods like ice cream and mashed potatoes. We also will suggest an icing routine so that you can reduce swelling and will give you a prescription just in case you need additional pain management.

If you believe you need wisdom tooth removal, give us a call or schedule an appointment. Dr. Faleye would be happy to help determine the best course of action for your needs and is here to provide you with the information needed to make the best decision for you.