Worried About Wisdom Teeth Removal?

What the heck are wisdom teeth? The so-called “wisdom teeth” are the molars at the very back of your mouth. They often don’t start to grow in until adolescence. During this time they may become uncomfortable or cause a variety of dental health problems.

At Greater Long Island Dental in Massapequa, our dentists can help determine if your wisdom teeth (or your child’s wisdom teeth) need to be extracted.

3 things you need to know about wisdom teeth

1. Almost 10% of people are born without wisdom teeth — aren’t they lucky?!
2. Wisdom teeth are hard to keep clean. The biggest risk is increased decay.
3. Wisdom tooth extractions are common! Nearly 85% of people will have them removed at some point in their lives.

“Should my teenager get their wisdom teeth out?”

Generally speaking, there are a few reasons why a teenager would get their wisdom teeth taken out:

1. Wisdom teeth can be uncomfortable or even downright painful.
2. Teenagers often have braces but wisdom teeth can “undo” the work done by orthodontics, leading to misaligned teeth in adulthood.
3. Many teenagers aren’t diligent about brushing and flossing. Leaving their wisdom teeth in leads to a greater risk of decay and cavities.
4. Teenagers tend to heal faster than adults. So it might just make sense to “get it over with” rather than put it off.

The dentists and staff at Greater Long Island Dental in Massapequa are known for our smiling faces, gentle touch, and commitment to exceeding our patients’ expectations.

If you’ve got questions about your wisdom teeth, we’ll help you feel confident about your smile and your health. You’ll always be treated with the utmost care, respect, and compassion at our office.