Every year about 5 million Americans have their wisdom teeth removed.
This may bring up some questions for
you about the necessity of your own wisdom teeth removal.
Are many people having their wisdom
teeth removed simply because it has become commonplace? Is tooth
extraction an easy way for dentists to make money?
No, that's not the reason behind so
many people getting wisdom teeth removed.
Keep reading to learn more about why
wisdom teeth removal is necessary in most cases.
Where
and When Do Wisdom Teeth Come In?
After you lose your baby teeth
and your adult teeth come in, you add two sets of molars: 6-year molars and
12-year molars.
A third set of molars is also
developing. These molars are what we refer to as wisdom teeth.
Wisdom teeth typically come in between 17-21 years old, erupting behind the
12-year molars.
Why
Is That a Problem?
Earlier in human history, jaws were
bigger and stronger so that our ancestors could chew meat and rough vegetation
that was the staple of their diet.
As we have progressed and our food
has become softer and more easily chewed, our jaws have stayed smaller.
Now, by the time our third set of
molars tries to take their place, there's typically no room for them.
What
Kinds of Problems Do Wisdom Teeth Cause?
If wisdom teeth do not have enough
room to grow in, they will cause problems.
If you are experiencing problems with your wisdom teeth, symptoms can
include:
- Pressure.
- Discomfort,
- Tooth pain,
- Redness and swelling,
- Bleeding or and cuts on your gums and side of the
mouth,
- Noticeable crowding of your other teeth and even
- Ear pain.
These symptoms may mean that your
wisdom teeth
- Have become impacted,
- Caused an infection or cysts to develop, or they
- Are damaging your other teeth.
An impacted wisdom tooth means that
it did not come in correctly or all the way. It may have developed at the wrong
angle or be stuck in the jaw.
When these things happen, it tends
to create more problems than just pain or discomfort. Infections are more
likely because you can't clean the back of your mouth properly, and bacteria
remain stuck behind your back molars.
Cysts can also develop when space is
left along the jaw that shouldn't be there, and fluid builds up to fill the
space. These can also become infected.
So
What Can You Do?
If you are already experiencing any
of the above symptoms, especially if you have otherwise healthy teeth, it is important
to get to your dentist or an oral surgeon right away.
If your dentist has never discussed
the status of your wisdom teeth with you, now would be a great time to ask. A
qualified oral surgeon like boiseoralsurgery.com is
also a great resource.
By viewing your X-rays, they can
tell you how your wisdom teeth are growing and if you are at risk for any
potential problems.
Getting
Wisdom Teeth Removed is Often Necessary
Because most people don't have room
for four extra teeth, getting wisdom teeth removed is often necessary. Asking
for a professional consultation can let you know what you may need to take care
of your oral health.
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