Wisdom teeth emerge in early adulthood, so removing them can seem like a “young person” thing. Teens and twenty-somethings even see it as a rite of passage. Still, the truth is that you’re never too old to have wisdom teeth removed. You can get an extraction at any age if you have decent oral health. As for why that’s the case, let your Carmichael oral surgeon explain things in this helpful summary.
Never Too Old for Wisdom Tooth Removal
Since wisdom teeth erupt between 17 and 25, they’re often removed at those ages. However, you could get them taken out when you’re older.
First, not every wisdom tooth has to be removed at once. A dentist could leave one alone if a patient’s mouth has room for it. In that case, they’d only pull the tooth when it causes problems later.
More crucially, older folks can (and usually do) qualify for removal work. Wisdom tooth extraction wouldn’t cause them any long-term harm. In fact, the procedure would likely go well for such patients.
How Removal Works for Older Patients
Of course, wisdom tooth extraction does carry some risks for seniors. You should keep those dangers in mind if you proceed with treatment.
For example, one of the risks is a longer recovery. Younger bodies heal from wisdom tooth removal in 1-3 days, but older adults may need a week or more. The healing process’s length will depend on your oral health, whether you obey dentist instructions and other factors.
Another risk to consider is a higher chance of post-surgery issues. Depending on how the extraction goes, you could suffer from bleeding, an infection, or a nerve injury. Wisdom teeth have roots that grow close to nerves, so pulling them can sometimes knick spots in your mouth.
Why Get Wisdom Teeth Removed?
Wisdom tooth removal has benefits even when it’s done late in life. Such upsides include:
- Less Dental Crowding – With a wisdom tooth or two gone, you’ll have less crowding in your mouth. That’ll make alignment issues that need orthodontic care less likely.
- A Healthier Mouth – An impacted wisdom tooth can harm other teeth and cause oral cysts. Still, you can avoid such things by having the pearly white pulled.
- Easier Oral Care – By removing a wisdom tooth now, you’ll have an easier time brushing and flossing later. You’d then have a smaller risk of tooth decay and gum disease.
- Fewer Facial Aches – Gums can get inflamed by wisdom teeth, resulting in oral and facial pain. Even eating or speaking could cause aches if that happens.
There’s no such thing as “too old to have wisdom teeth removed.” So, talk to your oral surgeon about an extraction soon!
About the Author
Dr. Sheng Ji is an oral surgeon based in Carmichael, CA, having earned his DDS from the UCSF School of Dentistry. Extensive dental and medical training has made him an expert in comprehensive dental care, especially oral and maxillofacial surgeries. That means you can trust Dr. Ji to help your smile thrive, whether you need dental implants placed or wisdom teeth removed. Today, he practices at his self-titled clinic and is reachable on his website and by phone at (916)-961-1902.