Is It Worth It to Remove Wisdom Teeth and Get Braces?
Wisdom teeth are an understandable point of worry for parents whose children are going through orthodontic treatment, they seem to be very unpredictable and can easily mess up a few months of orthodontic progress. However, you should know those wisdom teeth are not as bad as they seem for your child or their current treatment. Keep reading to get a better understanding of what wisdom teeth are and when they represent a problem.
When Do Wisdom Teeth Erupt?
Wisdom teeth are the last permanent teeth to grow out and usually happen well after all our baby teeth fall off. They start appearing when a patient is anywhere between 17 to 25 years old. Around those years, you can sometimes see them erupting through your gums. If you don’t see them, there is no need to worry; some people are born with just two molars while others don’t have them at all.
If you present any type of discomfort during this stage, like pain or swelling in your jaw or extra pressure in the same area, then you should inform your Everett dentist about it. Although you may not be able to see them, your wisdom teeth may be there. Once informed, your Everett orthodontist can run a few tests to know if you’ll need treatment.
What Are Impacted Wisdom Teeth?
As said previously, your wisdom teeth are the last ones to grow, so it’s very possible that they just don’t have enough space to grow into. It isn’t uncommon for patients to have jaws that aren’t big enough to accommodate all teeth comfortably, including your extra molars. Impacted wisdom teeth happen when your teeth lack space and don’t erupt from the gum. An impacted tooth can also grow at an angle, which makes it collide against its nearest tooth. If your tooth has only erupted a little and isn’t completely grown out, it’s called a partially impacted tooth.
Can I Get My Wisdom Teeth Removed With Braces?
No, wisdom teeth can’t shift your teeth. They simply don’t have the required strength to push all the other teeth in your mouth. This is especially true if the patient uses braces or a retainer. However, wisdom teeth can be a source of different problems. If your tooth is partially impacted by cleaning, it becomes very difficult and opens up the possibility of an infection. If your tooth grows at an angle, it could also grow into the neighboring tooth and start eroding each other until an infection occurs.
Should I Wear Braces Before or After My Wisdom Teeth Erupt?
As with most situations regarding a person’s health, it will depend on every person. Before you get your braces installed, your Everett orthodontist will check for wisdom teeth and their progress in growing out. Here they can determine if you will have enough space for the teeth to grow or not. If it looks like they will collide with your other teeth, then your dentist will recommend extracting them before your brace’s treatment. If the decision is not to take them off at the moment, there’s no need to worry; you can have your wisdom tooth extracted during your Everett braces treatment if needed.
Can an Orthodontist Is Removing Teeth For Braces Worth It
Can You Get Braces While Your Wisdom Teeth Are Growing?
Yes, you can get your wisdom teeth removed while having braces on. If during your braces treatment, your orthodontist in Everett decides that it’s best to remove your wisdom teeth, then you can go through with the procedure without it being too different from doing it without braces. The whole removal process won’t have any effect on your Everett braces’ treatment results, and it won’t add time to the procedure either.
What to Eat After Wisdom Tooth Removal?
After the procedure, the affected area will swell up and will be sensitive for a few days. To avoid unnecessary pain, it is best to stick to a soft foods diet for the first couple of days up to a week. This means eliminating everything that involves chewing, like big cuts of meat, chips, popcorn, toffee, etc.
Cold drinks and treats can help with numbing the surrounding area. Soft foods like soups, mashed potatoes, beans, scrambled eggs, pancakes, smoothies, ice cream, and pudding are all good to go. Remember that although cold sugary treats are great, they are also heavy in sugar, so try to keep them to a minimum and brush them after every meal.
Schedule Your Appointment With Our Everett Orthodontist at Silver Lake Orthodontics
If you would like to check on your wisdom tooth situation with us, you can schedule an appointment at Silver Lake Orthodontics. If you want more information regarding the topic or any dental needs you may have, you can contact us here.