A happy and healthy smile depends on balance, and when something’s off, it can cause serious issues. That’s one reason why it’s so important for parents to keep an eye on their teenaged children’s smiles. During adolescence, they develop their third and final set of molars that we often refer to as their wisdom teeth. Unfortunately, many mouths simply do not have the space for these additional teeth, and they can push existing ones out of place or even crack enamel.
If your child has started to notice the signs of wisdom tooth development, call Dr. Tyko and Dr. Rogers at Santa Rosa Oral Surgery. Our helpful, neighborhood team can help you to understand what’s going on. We can also work with you to make a plan for these additional teeth, which sometimes means talking about extraction. Often, smiles are simply not sizable enough to fit these molars, so make sure that you’ve got someone looking out for their needs.
Is your child ready to talk about their wisdom teeth? Uncover their direction with quality care from Santa Rosa Oral Surgery.
Why Do They Have Wisdom Teeth, Anyway?
For parents, it can be tough to understand the importance of keeping an eye on wisdom tooth development. In fact, even their existence sometimes flummoxes moms and dads. So, let’s get into it; what exactly are wisdom teeth and why do we have them if we don’t need them?
Well, then answer to these questions lie in evolution. When humans primarily ate raw meat and vegetable matter, we needed stronger jaws to be able to rip through our food. Over time, we started to cook our meals, and that allowed our faces to become slimmer; while that makes for a nicer profile, it also leaves less room for the third and final set of molars. Unfortunately, our teeth simply have not caught up with our face, and that means that there might not be enough space in your teen’s smile.
Understanding Wisdom Tooth Extraction
When your child reaches adolescence, it’s important to keep them to their schedule of biannual dental checkups. These visits are vital for their lasting smile success, particularly when they are in that age range. Because when their wisdom teeth start to develop, their provider will want to know.
Sometimes, it’s necessary to remove the third molars due to space constraints. Wisdom teeth can also grow in unhealthy directions, so their imagery is a helpful tool. So, keep them close to their oral health team during adolescence, and when it’s time to talk extraction, we’re here for them.
Schedule A Consultation At Santa Rosa Oral Surgery
Has your child’s dentist recommended wisdom tooth extraction? If they’re ready to talk about a safer smile, call Santa Rosa Oral Surgery at (707) 545-4625 today.
