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Not Everyone Needs to Have All of Their Wisdom Teeth Extracted

Posted on 3/10/2019 by Janice K. Pliszczak, DDS

Wisdom teeth are a bit of a source of confusion. They are molars that usually will come in when a person is in their late teens. By then, most people have all but stopped growing, and these are the last teeth that come in. For many people, hearing about wisdom teeth can be a source of anxiety.

After all, they will need to be removed, right? That is not always the case. Not everyone needs to have their wisdom teeth extracted.

The Purpose of Wisdom Teeth

In ancient times wisdom teeth were helpful in eating, because the diet consisted mostly of meat, often raw. Wisdom teeth made it easier to grind the food and chew it properly. Today's diet is softer, and wisdom teeth are not really needed. For many people, they cause more problems than anything else.

When Should Wisdom Teeth Be Extracted?

There are many reasons why wisdom teeth are extracted. Sometimes they did not come in straight, which will lead to crowding in the mouth. Other times, the tooth does not come in all the way. That could cause dental problems down the road.

Wisdom teeth can cause cysts in the gumline, which could lead to bacterial growth in the mouth. If you do not suffer from any of these or other problems that wisdom teeth may cause, you might not need to have them removed.

The best thing to do is to talk to us about your wisdom teeth. We will not only examine your mouth, we will use X-rays to determine how the teeth are coming in. There is a chance that you will not need to have all of your wisdom teeth removed. You might even be able to keep all of them, because that does happen. Each person is different.

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"You are put at ease the minute you walk into their new office on Broad Rd. Beautiful and calming surroundings. The staff couldn't be more helpful and are extremely friendly. Dr. Pliszczak is exactly what you want in a Dentist. Always concerned with your comfort, I never feel rushed, and I enjoy here friendly manner. And because of all of their meticulously thorough work, My teeth are as healthy as can be!!! Thank you Dr. Pliszczak, Jade and Nancy" ~Roamy F.