Understanding Root Canal Procedures

Why Is Your Child's Dentist Suggesting Early Wisdom Teeth Removal?

10 December 2020

Diane Mason

Although preventive surgery is usually reserved for serious illnesses, it's also used in dentistry. When taking your child to your family dentist, you might find it odd that they recommend removing your child's wisdom teeth (especially when these teeth aren't yet causing any problems), but there's a reason for this recommendation.

A Preemptive Removal

Even when your child isn't complaining about the typical symptoms associated with problematic wisdom teeth (pain, fever, a general feeling of being unwell), your dentist might wish to preemptively remove wisdom teeth that are likely to become impacted as they develop, sparing your child from the possibility of this discomfort and the dental problems that impacted wisdom teeth can cause.

The Development of Wisdom Teeth

The progress of your child's wisdom teeth will be noted as a part of their regular dental checkups, which is why regular x-rays are so important. When it's identified that their eruption is likely to result in impacted wisdom teeth (or if this process has already begun), wisdom teeth extraction acts as a form of preventive surgery. 

The Age Factor

Many dentists prefer to intervene early when it comes to wisdom teeth. Not only does this prevent future problems, but the process is arguably easier for younger bodies. The roots and bones that support the wisdom teeth are still in the developmental stage, and ideally have not yet reached their adult state. This results in a less intensive extraction, which is generally accompanied by a relatively quick recovery. In any event, wisdom teeth extraction is a minor and extremely common type of surgery.

Your Choice

Although your dentist will make a strong recommendation for preventive extraction, the choice is ultimately yours. Your dentist won't have advised this course of action just for the heck of it, and it's only suggested when there is a real threat of the wisdom teeth affecting your child's dental health. Not only might wisdom teeth cause crowding in your child's mouth (which can cause pain, and sometimes result in misalignment of the teeth), but the fact they're likely to become impacted (when they don't fully erupt from the gums) will make them difficult to clean. This in turn makes them more susceptible to cavities and general decay. 

So when a regular dental checkup turns into a discussion about the need to extract wisdom teeth, remember that there's a reason for it, and this reason is definitely valid.

For more information, contact your family dentist.

Share

Search