Should I Get All Four Wisdom Teeth Pulled Out?

When you’re already in your late teens or entering young adulthood, there is still a set of teeth that will or has already grown out of you: your wisdom teeth.

You may also heard about the “scary” stories of people who have experienced dealing with them, and you might wonder: “Do I really need to get them removed?” Even more so, “Can you remove all 4 wisdom teeth at once?”

Wisdom teeth removal is one of the most common dental procedures for young adults in Australia, but the (good) thing is it’s not always necessary. Let’s take a close look at it and see if you should get all your wisdom teeth pulled out.

What Are Wisdom Teeth?

Wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, are the last set of permanent teeth to grow in your mouth. Most people develop four wisdom teeth throughout their late teen or young adulthood, where each quadrant of the jawbone gets one. These third molars usually emerge between the ages of 17 and 25, which is where they get the name “wisdom teeth,” as they arrive when we’re considered more mature.

Some people also develop no wisdom teeth at all, while others get one, two, three or the full set of four. 

Approximately 80% of the population experience at least one of their wisdom teeth not erupting through the gums. From that number, you could say that many people experience having trouble when their wisdom teeth come out. Some of these causes are crowding, pain and oral health issues due to lack of space in the jaw.

When Do Wisdom Teeth Need to Be Removed?

Not every case calls for wisdom teeth removal, but there are several clear signs and situations where removal is recommended:

1. Recurrent Infections or Pain

If you frequently feel soreness, swelling, or inflammation in the back of your mouth, your wisdom teeth could be the cause. Partially erupted teeth can leave a flap of gum that traps bacteria and food particles, which leads to your gums getting inflamed repeatedly (pericoronitis).

2. Lack of Space in the Jaw

Most people simply don’t have enough room for a third set of molars in their mouth. Therefore, if there’s no space for the wisdom teeth to erupt fully and straight, they can cause discomfort, misalignment, or gum complications. This is the main reason why many people experience pain and discomfort when a wisdom tooth starts to erupt.

3. Impaction or Misalignment

This is one of the effects of limited space in the jaw. Sometimes, wisdom teeth may grow at an angle or become impacted, which means they are stuck under the gum or pushing into neighbouring teeth. This misalignment will then lead to crowding, pressure, or even damage to the second molars.

4. Difficulty Keeping Them Clean

Wisdom teeth sit at the very back of the mouth, and because of their location, it is understandable that they are harder to reach with a toothbrush or floss. Because of that, it can increase your risk of getting tooth decay, gum disease and bad breath simply because of your wisdom teeth.

Can You Remove All 4 Wisdom Teeth at Once?

The short answer is yes! All 4 wisdom teeth can be removed in one procedure, and in many cases, dentists prefer this option. Here’s why:

• One Recovery Period
  Healing from wisdom teeth removal typically takes about 1–2 weeks, regardless if you’re only getting one teeth out or all of them. Doing all four at once means you only need to go through the recovery period once, and not four separate times.
• Less Time Off Work or School
  If you are working or still studying, taking one short break is often easier than organising multiple appointments and recovery periods.

At our clinic at Whitehorse Dental, many of our patients prefer to remove two wisdom teeth,at a time (often top and bottom on one side). While that could also be done, from a dentist’s perspective, getting all four out in one go is usually more efficient and cost-effective, especially when general anaesthesia or sedation is being used.

However, it’s still best to consider other factors and your personal preference as well. At Whitehorse Dental, we make sure you feel comfortable and at peace with every dental procedure you go through. Regardless if you decide to get just one out or all four in one sitting, we respect and support your decision.

READ MORE: WHAT TO EXPECT BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER WISDOM TEETH REMOVAL

Not Sure If You Need All Four Wisdom Teeth Removed?

Wisdom teeth removal can be daunting and overwhelming at the same time. However, when your wisdom teeth is giving you a hard time, the most important step you should choose is to talk to a qualified dentist first to understand what is happening. That’s exactly what we do at Whitehorse Dental.

When you’re in Blackburn or anywhere nearby, our professional dentists are here to support you, no matter what you’re going through. Book a consultation today, and let’s take a closer look at your growing wisdom teeth.