Wisdom teeth are the third set of molars located at the very back of your mouth. Most people develop four wisdom teeth, though some may have fewer or none at all. They typically begin forming beneath the gums during the pre-teen years and emerge later in the late teens or early twenties. Because they are the last teeth to come in, there often isn’t enough space for them to grow in properly, which is why they can sometimes become impacted or cause discomfort.
What Are Wisdom Teeth?
Have Questions About Wisdom Teeth?
Who Should Get Their Wisdom Teeth Removed?
Not everyone needs to have their wisdom teeth removed, but many people benefit from it. Removal is often recommended for patients whose wisdom teeth are impacted, causing pain, crowding other teeth, or increasing the risk of infection or decay. Even if there are no immediate symptoms, a dentist may suggest removal if there isn’t enough space for the teeth to come in properly or if future complications are likely. Evaluating wisdom teeth early allows for a simpler procedure and smoother recovery before more serious issues develop.
Have Questions About Wisdom Teeth?
Here Are Some Frequently Asked Questions About Wisdom Teeth
When Do Wisdom Teeth Grow In?
Wisdom teeth form under the gums during the pre-teen years (10-12). If there is enough room in the mouth, the wisdom teeth will begin to push through the gums by the late teenage years. However, if there is not enough room, they will start to impact by the mid-twenties.
What Are Impacted Wisdom Teeth?
This means that there is no room for them to fully erupt through the gums and it can become painful and swollen.
By a person’s early forties wisdom teeth have formed complete roots…at this point, it is very difficult to remove them and requires more time to heal after removal.
The best time to remove wisdom teeth is before they begin to push through the gums. At this time, the removal is rather easy and the patient will experience a quick recovery.
Why Remove Wisdom Teeth?
If you don’t remove your wisdom teeth they can cause several oral issues later in life. The following are just a few of the problems wisdom teeth can cause if not removed early.
- If wisdom teeth impact, they can damage neighboring molars by pushing on them.
- Impacted wisdom teeth often decay.
- Infections can occur that if left untreated will affect the bloodstream.
- Cysts and tumors can occur below the wisdom tooth that cause pain and even damage to the jawbone.
