Wisdom Teeth and Your Child

Posted by Dentalworks4kids on April 1st, 2015

Getting our wisdom teeth can be a rite of passage as we grow similar to how when we get our first adult tooth. However, as you may not remember when teeth first grow in it’s not exactly the most comfortable feeling. The incoming of a tooth often was accompanied by tender and swollen gums and this can sometimes be even worse when wisdom teeth erupt. 

Wisdom teeth are third molars that erupt in the very back of the mouth emerging often in the teens and early twenties. Because of the position of these teeth and the shape of the jaw bone at the back of the mouth, there is often not enough room for them to erupt.  As a result, when the third molars attempt to erupt, they often do not emerge in the right direction and come in angulated or partially erupted. Or it can become completely trapped or “impacted” when it doesn’t erupt through gums at all.

The good thing is that these teeth are not necessarily needed for chewing, however, because of their location they pose certain difficulties and problems.   Being so far in the back they can be difficult to keep clean and this can make them more prone to tooth decay and gum disease. If the tooth is partially erupted through the gums, then it can leave an opening into the gums for bacteria to enter and cause infections.

There is also a risk that partially erupted and impacted wisdom teeth can cause damage to adjacent teeth, the jawbone and related nerves. For that reason, wisdom teeth are often extracted before these problems even develop.

If unsure whether wisdom teeth need to be extracted the following are the most prominent reasons for removing wisdom teeth:

• Consistent radiating pain
• Recurrent infection of soft tissue behind the lower last tooth
• Presence of cysts or tumors
• Damage to nearby teeth
• Gum or periodontal disease
• Extensive or recurrent tooth decay

At Dental Works 4 Kids we consistently monitor for growing wisdom teeth as part of our routine dental examinations. If and when the time comes for wisdom teeth to erupt we will help take care of them. Proper routine mouth examinations are important to stay on top of good oral health avoid unnecessary pain that accompanies symptomatic wisdom teeth.

Above all, don’t ignore your child’s discomfort. It can only progress and lead to emergencies that can affect more than just oral health. So use a little bit of wisdom and schedule an appointment with us at Dental Works 4 Kids today.

About The Author:

Dental Works 4 Kids is a pediatric & an orthodontic health care specialist in Ontario, CA provides the highest standard of specialized and comprehensive oral health care and orthodontics for infants, children, adolescents, and patients with special needs. Dental Works 4 Kids offer a safe and welcoming environment with a focus on education and prevention for families in our community.