Contrary to what their name may suggest, wisdom teeth, or your third set of molars, don’t make you smarter. In fact, they got their name because they erupt well after the other molars, when a person is “wiser,” often between the age of 17 and 25.

Sometimes, the eruption of the wisdom teeth goes largely unnoticed. They grow into the mouth healthy, complete, and positioned correctly. When this happens the wisdom teeth can be brushed, flossed, and generally cared for properly.

However, wisdom teeth can cause you discomfort or dental problems when they don’t have room to grow properly. Sometimes the size of your mouth is too small to accommodate another set of molars and so the wisdom teeth grow at various angles, only partially erupt through the gum line, or remain completely hidden. If wisdom teeth don’t emerge they can become trapped, or impacted, within your jaw.

Dr. Brianne Luu of Gentle Care Dentistry in Rosemead, CA, can help patients who are having trouble with their wisdom teeth. Teeth that have erupted may only need a simple extraction. If the teeth are impacted or are still below the gum line, a cyst can develop around the tooth. In this case, Dr. Luu will work with a team of professionals to remove the tooth safely through oral surgery.

The first step to determine if your wisdom teeth need to be removed is to schedule an appointment with Dr. Luu. She will perform an oral examination and take x-rays of your mouth to check the molars that have erupted and get a good look at those that have not. Dr. Luu suggests having this conversation in early adulthood. That way, if the wisdom teeth are growing horizontally, or are in danger of causing you problems, you can have them removed before they get too big. The earlier problem teeth are taken care of, the easier the extraction will be.

Call Dr. Luu and her friendly and professional team to schedule a consultation to discuss the future of your wisdom teeth. Dr. Luu will work with you and with a team of quality specialists if necessary, to determine the right treatment plan for your individual needs.

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