Wisdom teeth are the final set of molars that your teen will develop. Typically, a wisdom tooth can make an appearance on X-rays during early adolescence or continue developing well into a person’s late 20s. But the teen or college years tend to be the most common time for third molars to evaluated and if they’re going to cause problems.
Fortunately, proactive wisdom tooth removal can minimize discomfort and eliminate the unwanted side-effects of impacted teeth.
Here’s how to know whether your teen is ready to have their wisdom teeth removed:
Jaw Pain Caused by Wisdom Teeth
Wisdom teeth pain tends to come and go as they develop and attempt to erupt. More often than not, wisdom tooth pain will eventually become more persistent, without relief between flare-ups. It’s at this point when you know that you need to go ahead and see our oral surgery specialists at Texas Institute of Oral, Facial & Implant Surgery to have the wisdom tooth evaluated.
It Hurts to Eat or Brush Their Teeth
Although it’s been years since you had a toddler going through teething pains, it’s common for teens with erupting or impacted wisdom teeth to experience similar discomfort. They may mention that food is getting caught around their back teeth, making their gums sensitive. Brushing may feel uncomfortable, or they might notice that it’s sore when they bite down during meals.
The X-ray Shows Wisdom Tooth Impaction
Impacted wisdom teeth can cause serious dental complications like:
- Cysts or tumors
- Damage to adjacent teeth
- Increase in tooth decay, gum disease
- Crowding or orthodontic relapse
Thanks to 3D CBCT technology, we can view your teen’s impacted wisdom teeth from every angle to get an in-depth view of what’s going on inside of their jaw.
Wisdom Teeth Extraction Midlothian
Our Midlothian oral surgeon provides wisdom tooth removal exams for teens and college students. No referrals necessary. Contact us today to request a one-on-one consultation in Ellis County.