Being wise about wisdom teeth could make life a lot easier for you or someone you love. Wisdom teeth typically erupt when people are in their late teens or early 20s. For a majority of people, they can be problematic.

We perform a lot of wisdom teeth extractions at High Plains Periodontics and Implant Dentistry. Our Lubbock, TX dental team wants you to know these things about those teeth. 

1. They Are Your Third Molars

Molars are the bigger, flatter teeth in the back of your mouth. You use them to grind up food into smaller pieces, so it can be digested more easily. You get two sets of molars when your permanent teeth erupt (usually in your early teenage years). Wisdom teeth come in later.

2. They Can Cause Serious Problems

Most humans have jaws that are too small for their wisdom teeth to come in correctly. That can lead to them becoming partially or fully impacted. That can put pressure on your other teeth, cause pain, and increase your risk of cavities and gum infections.

3. They Often Should Be Removed

For a majority of people, the best option is to remove their wisdom teeth to avoid a lifetime of oral health problems. With routine dental visits with X-rays, your dentist can monitor how these teeth are erupting. Usually, they can identify potential problems early, so we can address them before they cause serious issues.

Call 806-507-6906 to schedule a wisdom teeth extraction procedure! You can also schedule online to visit High Plains Periodontics and Implant Dentistry.