I Think My Teenager May Be Getting Their Wisdom Teeth. What Should I Do?
Posted on 7/15/2024 by Parkside Dental
If you are the parents of a teenager, you already have a lot to worry about, and wisdom teeth are probably not at the top of your worries. However, you need to understand what happens when their wisdom teeth begin to erupt and when you need to bring them to visit our dentist.
What Are Wisdom Teeth?
Your third set of molars is called wisdom teeth. They are the final set of teeth that teenagers or young adults get, which is why they are called wisdom teeth. Some adults keep their wisdom teeth, but other adults have had them removed as teenagers.
Why Would Wisdom Teeth Need to Be Removed?
Like your appendix and your spleen, your wisdom teeth are a leftover from evolution. Earlier versions of humans needed as many teeth as possible because they ate raw meat, grains, vegetables, fruit, and nuts without cooking most of the food they ate. This meant that early humans needed lots of molars to help crush and grind their food into small pieces so they could digest it.
Because of the changes to the human diet, you do not need another set of molars to digest your food properly. Also, because your body has evolved, wisdom teeth - more than any other teeth - can cause trouble. They can become stuck in your jawbone and cause pain and migraines. They can also become abscessed when they are impacted in your jawbone. Your teenager may not have room for those wisdom teeth to erupt as well.
Are There Signs When Wisdom Teeth Are Erupting?
If you are worried that your teenager may have wisdom teeth erupting, here are some signs to look for. Look for swelling of the gums directly behind the very back teeth in the mouth. You might also notice that their gums are bleeding, or they may tell you they are having pain in the back of their mouth. Also, ask your teenager if they are experiencing jaw pains or headaches. If you have concerns about your child and their wisdom teeth, why not give us a call and make an appointment? Our dentist will be able to tell you if your teenager will need to have their wisdom teeth removed.
About - Murphy TX • Parkside Dental Learn more about Dr. Jason and Jean Larsen's dental practice in Murphy, TX. Meet the team and tour the office! Call Parkside Dental today to schedule! Parkside Dental, 703 E FM 544 Suite 100, Murphy, TX 75094 / (972) 442-7550 / parksidedentaltx.com / 12/20/2024 / Tags: dentist Murphy TX /
If you are the parents of a teenager, you already have a lot to worry about, and wisdom teeth are probably not at the top of your worries. However, you need to understand what happens when their wisdom teeth begin to erupt and when you need to bring them to visit our dentist.