What are wisdom teeth and why do we have them?

Your wisdom teeth are the last teeth to break through, or erupt. Usually, they erupt in the late teens or early twenties. According to the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS), “Anthropologists note that the rough diet of early humans resulted in the excessive wear of their teeth. Normal drifting of the teeth to compensate for this wear ensured that space was available for most wisdom teeth to erupt by adolescence. The modern diet, which is much softer, and the popularity of orthodontic tooth straightening procedures produce a fuller dental arch, which quite commonly doesn’t leave room for the wisdom teeth to erupt, thereby setting the stage for problems when the final four molars enter the mouth.

If there isn’t enough space for the tooth to properly erupt, it can become impacted, or stuck. Not all people have impacted wisdom teeth, though. The teeth may erupt but be jammed in the back, making it hard for you to clean your back molars.

Impacted teeth can lead to serious problems, from painful crowding to infections. The wisdom teeth can also affect the teeth next to them, causing damage and pain. The result can be living with migraines, headaches, and facial pain – chronic pain that can only be treated by removing the teeth.

While it may seem tempting to leave wisdom teeth in place if they have erupted and don’t seem to be causing any problems, oral surgeons feel that most people are better off having them taken out. Again, from the website, a study undertaken by the AAOMS and the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Foundation (OMSF) strongly recommended, “be removed by the time the patient is a young adult in order to prevent future problems and to ensure optimal healing.The researchers found that older patients may be at greater risk for disease, including periodontitis, in the tissues surrounding the third molars and adjacent teeth. Periodontal infections, such as those observed in this study, may affect your general health.”

I wish I’d known that. I was always a bit smug about still having mine. My husband still has his. My 21-year-old had his out 3 years ago and my middle one may have to have hers out soon.

Wish me luck for Wednesday….

Images: Newscom

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