When Should My Child Have Their Wisdom Teeth Removed?

If your child is complaining of jaw pain, or has begun to feel the eruptions of wisdom teeth, they may need their wisdom teeth removed. But there’s no need to worry! Polaris Dental Care has you covered. The winter holidays are the perfect time to schedule a tooth extraction. Your child won’t miss school and will have adequate time to recover.

To help you understand the procedure, and make the best decision for your child, we’ll explain all you need to know about wisdom teeth and when extraction is necessary.

Why Do Wisdom Teeth Need Extraction?

Wisdom teeth are the final set of adult teeth to erupt. They grow in at a different rate for everyone, but eruptions most commonly occur between the ages of 17-19. Despite wisdom teeth being a natural set of teeth which most people have, there are often complications with the eruptions.

Wisdom tooth extractions are sometimes necessary because these complications often have painful side effects and can lead to inflammation. If left untreated, they can cause impaction and other oral health problems.

We also don’t actually need wisdom teeth. They grow in late, and your mouth already functions perfectly without them. If your child has experienced any symptoms of misaligned or impacted wisdom teeth, extraction is almost always the best option.

What Signs Will Show When Wisdom Teeth Need Extraction?

If your child has felt the eruption of their wisdom teeth, or can tell that they are emerging soon, they’ll likely experience the following symptoms:

• Shifting or crowding of the other molars
• Pain or tension at the rear of your mouth
• Jaw Stiffness
• Swollen or inflamed gums near the back of your mouth

How Does The Extraction Happen?

The extraction process is simple. To prepare, Dr. Khan will numb the tooth and jaw. IV sedation is available at our London and Grandview offices. And for appointments scheduled in advance at our Columbus location, we can bring in an anesthesiologist to provide sedation dentistry. Once the patient is comfortable, an incision will be made to open the gum tissue, allowing access to the tooth itself. The tooth is carefully removed, and the area is then cleaned and stitched to allow for healing and prevent infection.

Each tooth takes a matter of minutes to extract and, depending on the level of sedation, pain is minimal. Dr. Khan will also prescribe any necessary medication to make your child feel comfortable during the recovery process.

Pain will subside within a matter of days, and your child’s mouth will be fully healed within a week or two. If the patient has healed properly, there’s no need for a follow-up examination or additional surgery.

Worried About Your Child’s Wisdom Teeth? Contact Polaris Dental Care Today!

If your child has felt their wisdom teeth begin to erupt, or you’re trying to get a head-start before they do, contact us to schedule an appointment with Dr. Khan today. We have offices in Columbus, Grandview and London, and our team would be happy to walk you through the process.

If your child’s eruptions have already begun, together we can determine if tooth extractions are necessary and take the appropriate steps. Call us today!

Columbus office:
(614) 758-6522
2023 Polaris Pkwy,
Columbus, OH 43240

Grandview office:
(614) 333-8332
887 W 3rd Ave,
Columbus, OH 43212

London office:
(937) 568-3302
8490 E National Rd,
South Vienna, OH 45369