Know Your Wisdom Teeth

Know Your Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth or third molars erupt last in the mouth and because most patients’ mouths are fully developed by then, wisdom teeth often do not show up. It may lie buried beneath the gums causing discomfort so it is highly recommended to seek the advice of your dentist and get them removed to avoid future complications. How well do you know your wisdom teeth? Here are a few interesting facts about wisdom teeth that may help you get to know more about them.

Got the ‘Smarts’

It begin to erupt anytime between the ages of 17 and 25. They get their name because they emerge when you’re older and supposedly “wiser.” Approximately 35 percent of the population is born without any wisdom teeth! Your dentist can predict the timing of your wisdom teeth eruption through routine check-ups and X-rays.

Most wisdom teeth do need to be extracted

According to American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons’ (AAOMS) though not all third molars need to be extracted it is best to do so anyway, primarily because they have the potential to do harm in the future. Healthy wisdom teeth that are not crowded or infected and can be easily cleaned do not have to be extracted. Your dentist will need to evaluate your teeth to take the most beneficial decision for you.  An estimated 85% of all wisdom teeth will need to be removed because of impacted wisdom teeth that are located in difficult-to-reach areas. Teeth that are missed during brushing and flossing can lead to the growth of bacteria, painful infections and damage to neighboring teeth.

Wisdom teeth may not exist in the future.

Human teeth follow a mathematical formula and over time with human evolution teeth may soon be a thing of the past, according to a 2016 study in Nature.

Wisdom Teeth do not need to be out by 18

In the new position taken by AAOMS’ you do not have to rush to get your wisdom teeth out when you’re 18 anymore. Wisdom teeth grow in at different times for different people, so it is better to extract the teeth when about two-thirds of their roots have formed. If you wait too long to remove your wisdom teeth, you run the risk of cysts and abscesses forming, which can do damage to nearby teeth. If you choose not to extract your wisdom teeth, you are likely to get periodontal disease, as you get older. Your dentist can weigh in on the pros and cons to make an informed decision about the best time to remove them.

Ice cream is good for you after wisdom teeth removal

The best part of the recovery process after wisdom tooth extraction is being able to eat soft foods like ice cream! Ice cream is soft and because it is cold, dentists recommend eating it after oral surgery to help alleviate pain and reduce gum swelling.

Your dentist or an oral surgeon will perform wisdom tooth extraction. You will be given a local anesthetic to numb the area where the tooth will be removed. After surgery, you may need stitches, which will dissolve on their own or may need to be removed later. Generally the recovery takes a few days if you follow the recovery procedure well. You will be prescribed painkillers and you may need to change gauze often to absorb any bleeding and prevent infection in the surgical site. Avoid rigorous activities after your procedure for a few days and rinse your mouth with warm salt water.

You may also like: