Wisdom Tooth Removal
Houston, TX
 Getting your wisdom teeth out is a common procedure for most people. Wisdom teeth are the teeth that grow in the very back of your mouth. Sometimes it happens early in life, and sometimes it happens much later. Usually due to people’s mouths not having enough space, they can cause pain and need to be removed. They can also grow crooked, cause misalignment, and become impacted which causes the most pain. However, with the procedure being so common several myths have built up around wisdom teeth removal.
Over time, several of these myths are just that, myths, and deserve to be debunked by our dentists at Alexandra Garcia, DDS, MS, so we are going to do just that. Then, when you need to get your wisdom teeth out, you can rest easy knowing some of these myths do not apply to you.
Wisdom Teeth Always Need to Be Removed
Wisdom teeth are not the appendix of the mouth, and in some cases, people have lived meaningful lives with wisdom teeth in their mouths. Some people do not have wisdom teeth at all! The main reason that wisdom teeth need to be removed is when they do not come into your mouth correctly. If they do, then there is no need to remove them.
Wisdom teeth need to be removed if their eruption into your mouth causes jaw damage, inflammation, damage to your teeth, or tooth decay. If you have large teeth in a small mouth, then the lack of space and the pressure can cause even more problems for your gums and jaw.
Wisdom Teeth Are Not Needed
Believe it or not, there was a time when we needed wisdom teeth to survive. They helped us chew tough and coarse foods that we hunted or gathered in the wild. Now food is softer and often cooked, and it is much easier on the teeth. We do not need wisdom teeth anymore, and if they are not removed, then they do not provide too much use.
Wisdom Teeth Removal
Despite all of he horror stories revolving around losing wisdom teeth, our dentists can assure you that it is a common procedure that is done every single day. The complexity of the procedure depends on how old you are.
If you are younger, then wisdom teeth are easier to remove because your mouth is still developing. Bones are softer, and nerves do not have the risk of being damaged. As you get older and your teeth settle a bit more, removing the wisdom teeth can be more complex.
After the Procedure
Once the wisdom teeth have been extracted, most people believe the myth that smoking and drinking can be done without causing harm to the rest of your mouth. This is not true, as the clots that form in your mouth following the extractions can be dislodged and can cause pain and even infections that will ruin your mouth’s health.
If you need your wisdom teeth removed, please come see us at Alexandra Garcia, DDS, MS or call (346) 250-2930, and we will be happy to help. |
