What is Wisdom Teeth?
Wisdom teeth are the third and final set of molars that
most people get in their late teens or early twenties. Sometimes these
teeth can be a valuable asset to the mouth when healthy and properly
aligned, but more often, they are misaligned and require removal.
When wisdom teeth are misaligned, they may position themselves horizontally, be angled toward or away from the second molars, or be angled inward or outward.
Poor alignment of wisdom teeth can crowd or damage adjacent teeth, the
jawbone, or nerves.
Wisdom teeth also can be impacted -- they are enclosed
within the soft tissue and/or the jawbone or only partially break
through or erupt through the gum. Partial eruption of the wisdom teeth
allows an opening for bacteria to enter around the tooth and cause an
infection, which results in pain, swelling, jaw stiffness, and general
illness. Partially erupted teeth are also more prone to tooth decay and
gum disease, because their hard-to-reach location and awkward
positioning makes brushing and flossing difficult.
How Do I Know if I Have Wisdom Teeth?
Ask your dentist about the positioning of your wisdom
teeth. They may take an X-ray periodically to evaluate for the presence
and alignment of your wisdom teeth. Your dentist may also decide to send
you to an oral surgeon for further evaluation.
Your dentist or oral surgeon may recommend that your
wisdom teeth be extracted even before problems develop. This is done to
avoid a more painful or more complicated extraction that might have to
be done a few years later. Removal is easier in young people, when the
wisdom teeth roots are not yet fully developed and the bone is less
dense. In older people, recovery and healing time tend to be longer.
