If you’re an older adult with new-onset jaw aches and can’t find an obvious cause, your discomfort may be due to wisdom teeth. Although ancient humans may have evolved them for survival, they’re now considered vestigial because they’re no longer necessary and serve no functional purpose.
These third molars are also infamous for causing problems and are often extracted as a result. But if you still have yours and they become troublesome later in life, you might worry that you waited too long to undergo the procedure successfully. Continue reading to learn why you can still have hope!
What Makes Wisdom Teeth Problematic?
Today, wisdom teeth are removed more often than not because they are notorious for causing problems that can interfere with your dental health, such as:
- Overcrowding. They frequently push neighboring teeth out of the way as they push through the gums, causing bite or dental misalignments that can lead to other issues, like chips, cracks, cavities, or TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorders.
- Dental issues. If they only partially erupt, they can be difficult to brush or floss, increasing the risk of cavities or gum disease.
- Impaction. They often become trapped in the jaw or gums and develop a cyst, infection, or other significant concerns.
- Discomfort. They can cause severe throbbing in the mouth, jaw, and face that can radiate outward and only subsides after removal.
When’s the Best Time to Remove Wisdom Teeth?
Many experts recommend extracting wisdom teeth as a teenager because the jaw is still forming during adolescence. That means they’re more malleable, making it easier to remove troublesome teeth and leading to faster, more effective recoveries. Furthermore, these teeth typically arrive in early adulthood, and the sooner you extract them, the fewer problems they can cause.
Scheduling might also play a part. Many high schoolers or college-age students have their wisdom teeth removed over holidays, like winter or spring break, when there’s ample time to heal without missing class or work.
Am I Too Old for Wisdom Tooth Extraction?
Although wisdom tooth extractions are so common for teenagers that it’s often considered a rite of passage into adulthood, that doesn’t mean that older patients can’t undergo the procedure. Your dentist can still remove them, though you may be more likely to experience dry socket or other complications during recovery. But thankfully, candidacy is determined based on your individual needs more than your age.
If your dentist examines your mouth and determines wisdom teeth are behind your recent discomfort, this procedure may be the best way to help alleviate aches and improve your dental condition.
About the Practice
Patients at Flenniken Family Dentistry benefit from a team of dentists who are passionate about helping people of all ages build their healthiest, most beautiful smiles. They share decades of combined experience working with children and adults, and today, they offer a complete menu of services, including wisdom tooth extractions and dental sedation, to conveniently meet your unique needs under one roof. You can request an appointment on the website or by calling (717) 249-7777.
