The words 'wisdom teeth' can instantly instill a fear of long and painful dental procedures in many people. But how true is that and do you really need to be scared of wisdom teeth? Keep reading because we're about to debunk some common myths surrounding wisdom teeth.
Myth 1: Everyone Has Wisdom Teeth
This is not true at all. It is not uncommon for a person to not have any wisdom teeth at all. Similarly, some people can have wisdom teeth, but they never erupt and stay beneath their gums their whole life.
Myth 2: Wisdom Teeth Always Have to Be Removed
This is probably why people are generally so scared of wisdom teeth. They think that having a wisdom tooth automatically means they'll need to get it surgically removed, and that it will be a painful procedure.
However, wisdom teeth don't always have to be removed. If they are positioned properly and aren't causing you any trouble, they don't need to be removed.
Myth 3: Wisdom Teeth are Useless
Many people also think wisdom teeth are useless and get it removed for that reason. However, that couldn't be further from the truth. While you can survive without them, these teeth aren't entirely useless. They help you in chewing your food just like your other teeth and this makes them quite important.
Myth 4: It's Best to Remove Wisdom Teeth When You Are Young
It is certainly easier to remove wisdom teeth at a young age, but that doesn't mean it's the best time to remove them. As mentioned earlier, for many people, their wisdom teeth never erupt, and even if they do, they don't always need to be extracted.
Therefore, the best time to remove these teeth is only when they are causing you pain or discomfort or they're affecting some other dental procedure. Their removal has nothing to do with age.
So, if you have wisdom teeth popping up, don't be scared just yet. They might turn out to be just like your other teeth. Otherwise, you can always consult your dentist regarding the best course of action.
Dentist Tigard, OR | Dental Blog - Lincoln Center Smiles Dr. Saklofsky has created an educational blog as a resource for our patients. If you like an article or the dental blog in general please share it to social media, then call (971) 317-9499 to make an appointment. Lincoln Center Smiles, 10500 SW Greenburg Rd, Suite 3, Portland, OR 97223-1406 ~ (503) 598-0898 ~ sakdental.com ~ 10/3/2024 ~ Associated Words: dentist Tigard OR ~
The words 'wisdom teeth' can instantly instill a fear of long and painful dental procedures in many people. But how true is that and do you really need to be scared of wisdom teeth? Keep reading because we're about to debunk some common myths surrounding wisdom teeth.