Walrus Rock

WISDOM TEETH FAQs

• The moment your wisdom teeth start to grow, you should have them checked. The first eruption happens between 15 and 17, and is fully grown by the age of 20. Do not wait for a toothache to develop.
• If you are older than thirty and do not have problems with your wisdom teeth, chances are, you will not have any problems in the future because these teeth are now fully grown in.
• General dental practitioners would recommend waiting it out to see if there is a problem with your wisdom tooth before pulling it out, while oral and maxillofacial surgeons would recommend that you pull them out before they can cause problems like tooth impaction that can lead to infection and gum disease.
• Have a dental x-ray to determine whether there is something wrong with the growth of your wisdom teeth, like if it is growing slanted or horizontally, or if it has a developing cyst.
• Impacted wisdom teeth occur when the arch of the mouth does not allow enough space for the third molars to grow.
• If your wisdom teeth does not have any problems, it is important that you clean them along with the rest of your teeth regularly to prevent food from getting stuck, and bacteria to form. This may be a bit of a challenge, considering that it is all the way to the back of your mouth, but taking this extra precaution can save you from future grief.
• Visit your dentist regularly to make sure things continue to be on the up and up.