When Am I Too Old to Have My Wisdom Teeth Extracted?

Many people get their wisdom teeth removed as teenagers or young adults. However, others do not experience any issues with their wisdom teeth until they are in advanced years. Therefore, they start considering having the teeth removed later than usual. If you are one of them, read on to learn whether you are too old to have wisdom teeth extraction in Calgary.

Why Should I Have My Wisdom Teeth Extracted?

Not everyone gets their wisdom teeth removed. Some individuals’ teeth do not erupt, while others ignore having the teeth extracted. They believe that just because your wisdom teeth are not causing you pain, you should not remove them. Unfortunately, lack of pain does not mean everything is alright with your third set of molars.

Some reasons to have your wisdom teeth pulled out at the dental clinic in NW Calgary are:

• Tooth pain

Your wisdom teeth are located in the farthest corner of your mouth. Therefore, you may not clean them as well as your other teeth. As a result, food debris and bacteria accumulate in them, leading to cavities. Caries causes intense pain that may necessitate wisdom teeth removal. Toothache can also occur due to infections or improper wisdom tooth growth.

• Misalignment

If you have a small jaw, your wisdom teeth will not fit into the jaw arch. They will push against each other to create room for the erupting wisdom teeth. Consequently, your teeth will become crowded, crooked, or misaligned. When this happens, the dentist will remove your wisdom teeth to allow proper alignment of your teeth.

• Sinus infections

The presence of wisdom teeth increases your risk of sinus infections. Frequent sinus infections cause discomfort and inhibit you from enjoying your life. If you have such a problem, having your wisdom teeth eliminated will substantially reduce the rate of sinus infections.

• Eating difficulty

When developing wisdom teeth push against the adjacent molars, you will experience pain when chewing. The pain occurs when you apply pressure to the teeth. Having the dentist perform a surgical extraction of the wisdom teeth will ease the stress and pain.

• Temporomandibular joint disorders

Wisdom teeth are located near the temporomandibular joints. Therefore, when developing, the teeth may damage or affect the joint, leading to disorders or infections. As a result, you may experience intense pain and difficulty opening your mouth.

• Impaction

Some wisdom teeth do not develop fully. Instead, they become stuck below the gum surface. Impacted wisdom teeth can become infected, resulting in intense tooth pain. They can also lead to infected, swollen, or bleeding gums. In addition, you will have persistent bad breath even when you brush. Having the teeth extracted at NW Calgary dentistry will help clear the infection.

Is It Too Late to Undergo a Wisdom Tooth Extraction Procedure?

Most people have their wisdom teeth extracted before they turn 20. Their dentists monitor the teeth as they erupt and pull them out as soon as possible. However, if you did not have the procedure at this period, it is possible to have your wisdom teeth pulled out even later. You are never too old to undergo the process.

However, do not hesitate when you realize you should have the oral surgical procedure. Delaying to have your wisdom teeth extracted can lead to certain complications. For example, you risk nerve damage and increased recovery time.

Nerve damage may occur because as you grow older, your tooth’s roots start growing downwards towards the nerves. If the roots touch the nerves, they may get injured. A sign of nerve damage is loss of feeling in the lower lip.

Also, after the procedure, you will experience swelling, tenderness, and pain at the extraction site. It will take a few weeks for your gums to heal completely. However, recovery after oral surgery takes longer when you are older. This occurs because your body’s ability to self-heal reduces with age.

You can never be too old for a wisdom tooth extraction. Therefore, you should contact the experts at Springhill Dental for a consultation. We will examine your wisdom teeth and create a customized treatment plan. After the extraction, we will guide you for a faster and uncomplicated recovery.