Do My Teenager’s Wisdom Teeth Need to Be Removed?

Are your child’s wisdom teeth growing? If so, now may be a good time to take them to the dentist in Scottsdale, AZ. Your child’s dentist can help you decide if wisdom teeth removal is appropriate for your child. Below are some of the things you need to know about wisdom teeth and how removal may benefit your child.

What Are Wisdom Teeth?

The wisdom teeth are the third set of molars to grow in the mouth. Wisdom teeth usually erupt from the gums around the time that a person reaches adulthood.

Do Wisdom Teeth Serve a Purpose?

Wisdom teeth can provide support for the teeth at the back of the jaw while also stimulating the jaw itself. However, most people don’t actually need their wisdom teeth in order to maintain healthy teeth, gums, and jaw.

Should My Teenager’s Wisdom Teeth Be Removed?

The decision to remove your child’s wisdom teeth depends on the teeth and how they’re affecting other teeth when they come in. Some people never need their wisdom teeth removed. Often, wisdom teeth are unable to fully erupt. This can cause tooth decay and pain or even a dental infection. Sometimes, wisdom teeth are able to fully erupt, but when this happens, they cause other teeth to become misaligned.

Your child’s dentist can anticipate some of these problems by watching the progress of your child’s wisdom teeth through X-rays and regular checkups. If your child’s dentist recommends wisdom tooth removal, it is either because the dentist wants to be cautious and protect your child’s other teeth or because the dentist can see the wisdom creating problems in your child’s mouth.

Signs Wisdom Teeth Should Come Out

Some signs that your child’s wisdom teeth should come out include:

• Pain in the jaw, neck, and head
• Dental decay in the back of the mouth
• Bad breath that won’t go away
• Teeth in the front are becoming crooked

If your child’s dentist recommends wisdom tooth extraction in Scottsdale, AZ, talk to the dentist to learn more about that recommendation. Working together with the dentist, you should be able to make the right decision for your child.