Why Do Dentists Prefer to Remove Wisdom Teeth Early and All at Once? 5 Key Reasons
/When your dentist says it’s time to remove your wisdom teeth, you might wonder why they suggest doing it early—and all at the same time. Dentists have good reasons for recommending this approach, and it’s all about making things easier for you in the long run.
Here are five important reasons why getting your wisdom teeth removed early and all together is often the best choice:
1. Prevents Future Problems
Wisdom teeth don’t always come in the way they should. They can become impacted (stuck under your gums) or come in crooked, causing problems like pain, infection, or damage to other teeth. Removing them early, before these problems start, can help you avoid more serious dental issues down the road.
Your dentist can often predict potential issues with your wisdom teeth using X-rays. By acting early, they can prevent problems that could be harder to fix later.
2. Easier Recovery
Getting all four wisdom teeth out at once means you only have to go through the healing process one time. Wisdom tooth removal typically requires some downtime, with swelling, soreness, and a soft food diet for a few days. If you get them taken out at different times, you’ll have to go through that recovery period again and again.
By removing all your wisdom teeth in one go, your dentist helps you minimize discomfort and avoid multiple rounds of recovery.
3. Better for Younger Patients
Dentists like to remove wisdom teeth early, usually in your late teens or early twenties, because younger patients tend to heal faster. At this age, the roots of the wisdom teeth aren’t fully developed, and the bones around the teeth are softer, making the procedure easier and recovery quicker.
The older you get, the more complicated the surgery can become, and the longer it may take to heal. That’s why dentists encourage getting it done sooner rather than later.
4. Reduces the Risk of Complications
Leaving wisdom teeth in place too long can lead to complications like infection, cysts, or even damage to the surrounding teeth and jawbone. Removing them early helps lower the risk of these problems. In some cases, wisdom teeth can cause overcrowding, leading to crooked teeth and potentially affecting any orthodontic work you've had done.
By taking them out before these complications arise, your dentist helps protect your overall oral health.
5. Prevents Shifting Teeth
When your wisdom teeth start to push through, they can cause your other teeth to shift. This can undo years of orthodontic work, like braces or retainers, leading to crooked teeth again. Removing wisdom teeth early helps keep your smile straight and your bite aligned.
If you’ve invested in a perfect smile, removing wisdom teeth can help protect that investment.
Quirky Facts About Wisdom Teeth:
Did you know that not everyone gets wisdom teeth? Around 35% of people are born without them!
Wisdom teeth got their name because they usually come in during the “age of wisdom”—your late teens or early twenties.
Ancient humans needed wisdom teeth to chew tough foods like roots and nuts. Today, we don’t really need them due to softer diets.