Did you know that every year, an estimated 5 million people in the United States have their wisdom teeth pulled? These last molars arrive years after all your other teeth, usually when you’re between 17 and 25 years old. It’s believed our ancestors, who subsisted on raw diets that were hard on teeth, developed them to compensate for any chompers that had been lost or damaged over time.
Today, they’re considered a vestigial feature because they’re no longer necessary. Not only that, but they tend to cause problems when they arrive, so they’re often extracted. Continue reading to learn 3 reasons your dentist might recommend removing them!
Reason #1: Overcrowding
Would you be surprised to learn that our ancestors had larger, more elongated jaws? As our diet and lifestyle changed over time, our mouths became smaller and rounder to accommodate softer foods. As a result, we don’t have as much real estate for our wisdom teeth when they arrive.
Unfortunately, these third molars frequently push neighboring pearly whites out of the way when they push through your gum line, which can cause aches and overcrowding. This contributes to additional concerns, like tooth or bite misalignments, or wearing down your enamel prematurely, which increases your vulnerability to damage and decay.
Reason #2: Impaction
Another challenge with wisdom teeth is that they frequently grow at an inappropriate angle and become trapped in your gums or jawbone. This can cause a fluid-filled sac, or cyst, to develop in the connective tissues around your trapped chomper or result in an infection that can impact your jawbone, gums, or enter your bloodstream and travel to other areas of your body.
Impacted wisdom teeth usually require surgical extraction to treat both the root of the problem and the infection to alleviate the ache and preserve your oral well-being.
Reason #3: Partial Eruption
Another concern that arises from wisdom teeth growing at odd angles is that they only partially clear your gumline. If a portion of your tooth remains below the surface, it’s much harder to brush and floss it sufficiently to prevent common dental dilemmas, like cavities and periodontal problems. Furthermore, if your latest molars develop issues, this can easily spread to neighboring teeth, jawbone, or connective tissues.
With that said, some people are lucky enough that their wisdom teeth arrive without causing any concerns, so they’re left alone. If you’re unsure whether yours require removal, the next best step is to contact your dentist! They can take scans or X-rays to identify how many of these molars you have and whether or not they are likely to cause problems.
About the Practice
Patients with Mark W. Jacob, DDS, benefit from a talented team of dentists who share more than 40 years of combined experience. Dr. Jacob, Dr. Prieto, and Dr. Vickery collaborate to provide a comprehensive menu of services at one convenient location, including wisdom tooth extractions. They combine a caring approach with state-of-the-art equipment to help you feel at ease while delivering accurate treatment results intended to last. If you’re worried about wisdom teeth, you can request an appointment on the website or by calling (847) 564-2180.