Although there’s no specific age where an oral surgeon has to perform wisdom tooth extractions, there is a common timeframe. For various reasons, most dental patients have to lose wisdom teeth in their early adulthood years. In this article, we’ll help you explore this special age demographic to prepare yourself or a loved-one for dental extraction.
The Age for Wisdom Tooth Extractions Still Varies
For most of us, our wisdom teeth typically develop and appear in our mouth somewhere between our 17th  and 25th birthdays. However, everyone is different, and so is how our wisdom teeth grow in. This is why dental practitioners pay close attention to and monitor the growth of our teeth during this age span. Through x-rays and normal dental exams, our dentist will be able to determine if and when tooth extractions are necessary.
On the other hand, there are always exceptions and rare cases where someone has to have oral surgery in their 30s or 40s. And unfortunately, as we age and our molar roots entrench themselves in our jaw, removals can be more complicated. During such rare cases, we should consult with an oral maxillofacial surgeon who specializes in more complicated and delicate surgeries. So, although most of us will have an extraction before our 26th birthday, there are many factors that vary with age.
The Problem with Waiting to Pull Teeth
Every dental practitioner on earth will agree that no one should wait to have their wisdom teeth removed. Why is this such a big deal? Well, in particular, studies show that the longer we wait, the greater the chance that we’ll experience major complications. Although we may not be able to see the molars that lie underneath our gumline, we WILL eventually feel them! Wisdom teeth don’t just sit still in our mouth, they’re working to come out and show themselves. Unfortunately, they try to come out “by any means necessaryâ€â€¦ Even if that means having to push other teeth around and crowd your mouth to do so.
Consequently, impacted wisdom teeth eventually cause pain, swelling, headaches, cysts, and will also begin to rot and decay. Over time, this can infect your entire mouth and place your overall health at risk. By this stage, you have a large problem on your hands. This is why having wisdom tooth extractions sooner than later is so vital to your oral health.
What Your Oral Surgeon Will Tell You
Around the same time your wisdom teeth start to grow in, is also the time you start to experience issues. In fact, oral surgeons are very familiar with the dental problems that most older teens and young adults experience as their molars are trying to grow. Here’s an interesting demographic: “90% of 20-year-olds have at least one wisdom tooth that hasn’t erupted or has erupted partially.†Fortunately, dental extractions are a routine procedure for oral surgeons. And though they can perform wisdom tooth extractions successfully at any age, they always recommend early removal.
For younger dental patients, a tooth removal procedure can limit the risks involved with oral surgery and healing time. However, they also know that removing wisdom teeth in older patients can be more complicated. Although some older patients go through oral surgery without complications, for many others, it can take longer for them to heal and risks increase.
Regardless of your age, if you’re experiencing dental problems, contact the Oral Maxillofacial Surgeons of Houston (OMSH). We specialize in oral and facial surgeries that help restore your smile and enhance your overall quality of life. Call 832-509-4505.
