Wisdom teeth are the third set of molars that generally grow in between ages 17-25. While not all wisdom teeth need removing, some can cause problems like pain if they are impacted or misaligned. A dentist will check wisdom teeth positioning during annual x-rays and may recommend removal if issues are detected. The surgery involves numbing the mouth and then using tools to loosen and extract the teeth, with recovery taking about a week.

1. Everything You
Need To Know
About Wisdom
Teeth Removal
Dr. Jody Cremer

2. The name may suggest something
positive, but wisdom teeth can actually
be a real pain. This third set of molars
generally grows between the age of 17
and 25, although some people never
get them at all. While not all wisdom
teeth need to be removed, some can
cause serious problems and pain and
need to be removed by a dentist.

3. Wisdom teeth are the third set of
molars in the mouth. The first set of
molars grows around age 6 and the
second set form around age 12. This
third set of molars were useful
centuries ago when our ancestors
had to rely on their teeth to chew
through tough foods. Since dentists
weren’t around back then, our
ancestors often lost their teeth,
making this third set of molars a
necessity for eating.
WHY DO WE HAVE
WISDOM TEETH?

4. Your dentist will perform x-rays on a yearly
basis to check for tooth decay, gum disease,
and to see how the teeth are situated in
your mouth. Those x-rays can also show
your dentist the positioning of your wisdom
teeth. If your wisdom teeth are impacted-
meaning they have formed below the gum
line- or are causing you pain, your dentist
will likely recommend that you have them
removed. The longer wisdom teeth stay in
your mouth, the deeper their roots form so
it’s better to have them removed sooner
rather than later.
HOW DO I KNOW IF
I NEED THEM
REMOVED?

5. A wisdom tooth removal is an oral
surgery so it does come with its own
set of risks. Your dentist or oral
surgeon may recommend that you
take a course of antibiotics prior to
the removal to prevent infection.
You’ll be given some type of numbing
agent or medication- either novocaine
or something stronger like laughing
gas or general anesthesia.
WHAT CAN I
EXPECT THE DAY OF
SURGERY?

6. The dentist will loosen the wisdom
teeth from the gums and then remove
them with the use of forceps. Once the
teeth are removed, gauze will be
applied to slow down the bleeding.
Care must be taken after surgery to
avoid dry sockets and other
complications, but recovery generally
takes about a week.

7. THANKS!
Website: DrJodyCremer.com
Twitter: @DrJodyCremer
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