Wisdom teeth have long been a topic of discussion in the medical community, as they were once thought to be essential for proper chewing and oral health. But over time, it has become clear that these third molars are not necessary for most people, and in fact can cause more harm than good if they are not removed. In this article, we will discuss the reasons why wisdom teeth are no longer needed and why it is often recommended that they be removed.Wisdom teeth are the four adult molars located at the very back of the mouth. They usually appear between the ages of 17 and 25. Wisdom teeth are the last teeth to develop and grow in, hence their name. They can cause overcrowding in the mouth if there isn’t enough room for them to grow in properly. In some cases, wisdom teeth may need to be surgically removed due to impaction or infection.
How Do Wisdom Teeth Develop?
Wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, are the last teeth to erupt in the mouth. They typically emerge in the late teens or early twenties. During this time, wisdom teeth can cause a variety of problems, from pain and discomfort to infection and crowding. To understand how wisdom teeth develop, it is important to understand the stages of tooth development.
The process begins during fetal development when the jawbones form and begin to expand. As the bones grow, a series of tooth buds form in each jawbone. These tooth buds will eventually turn into adult teeth. At this stage, there are four permanent molars that form in each jawbone, two on top and two on bottom. The last of these molars to form is known as the “wisdom tooth” or third molar.
When a person reaches their late teens or early twenties, these wisdom teeth begin to erupt and push through the gums. During this process, they can cause pain and discomfort due to pressure on adjacent teeth or inflammation of the gums around them. If they become impacted (stuck in place), they can cause infection or damage to adjacent teeth and/or soft tissue in the mouth.
Although wisdom teeth can be beneficial if properly aligned and healthy, it is not uncommon for them to cause problems due to their late eruption and lack of space in the mouth for them to fit properly. For this reason, dentists often recommend having them removed before they cause any issues if there is not enough room for them in your mouth or if they become impacted.
In conclusion, wisdom teeth development begins during fetal development when tooth buds form in each jawbone that will eventually turn into adult teeth including the third molar known as a “wisdom tooth” which typically erupts between late teens/early twenties causing a variety of potential issues such as pain/discomfort/infection/crowding if not enough room is available for them in your mouth or if they become impacted which may require removal by a dentist.
What Are the Problems Associated with Wisdom Teeth?
Wisdom teeth are the third and final set of molars that most people get in their late teens or early twenties. While they can be a valuable asset to your dental health when properly aligned, impacted wisdom teeth can cause a variety of dental problems. These problems range from mild discomfort to serious infection and even damage to other teeth. Common wisdom tooth problems include:
Impaction: When the wisdom tooth is unable to erupt properly, it is said to be impacted. Impacted wisdom teeth can cause crowding and misalignment of other teeth, as well as infection, inflammation, and cysts.
Pain: Wisdom teeth can become painful due to overcrowding or impaction. Pain may also occur when food gets trapped between the wisdom tooth and adjacent tooth.
Infection: If bacteria enter through a cavity in an impacted wisdom tooth, an infection can occur. This can lead to swelling, pain, bad breath, fever and difficulty opening your mouth.
Gum Disease: Poor oral hygiene around the wisdom teeth can lead to periodontal disease. This can cause bad breath, receding gums, loose teeth and bone loss around the affected area.
Damage to Adjacent Teeth: Impacted wisdom teeth may push against adjacent molars or other nearby teeth causing them to shift out of place or become damaged due to overcrowding.
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms it’s important that you see your dentist right away so they can diagnose the problem and provide appropriate treatment if needed.
How Common is it to Have Problems with Wisdom Teeth?
Having problems with wisdom teeth is quite common. About 65% of people will have at least one wisdom tooth that causes problems, such as coming in crooked or not being able to come in at all. This usually happens because there isn’t enough room in the mouth for these extra molars. Wisdom teeth can also cause pain and discomfort when they are coming in, and can also cause inflammation and infection of the gums around them. In some cases, wisdom teeth may need to be removed due to the potential damage they can cause.
It’s important to have your dentist evaluate your wisdom teeth if you are having any type of discomfort or pain. This way, your dentist can determine if it’s necessary to remove the teeth or if there is another solution that can be done to alleviate the problem. Depending on the severity of the issue, your dentist may recommend removing all four wisdom teeth or just one or two that are causing the issue.
It is important to keep in mind that most people who have their wisdom teeth removed do not experience any further problems with them after removal. If you do choose to have your wisdom teeth removed, it’s important to follow your dentist’s post-operative instructions carefully so that you heal properly and avoid any complications from the surgery.
How Are Wisdom Teeth Removed?
Wisdom teeth removal is a common dental procedure to remove the third molars (commonly referred to as wisdom teeth) from the back of the mouth. It is usually done when the wisdom teeth have erupted and become impacted or are at risk of becoming impacted. The procedure involves cutting into the gum tissue, removing any bone that may be covering the tooth, and then extracting the tooth. In some cases, a few stitches may be required to close up the area after the extraction.
The entire procedure can take anywhere from 20 minutes to several hours depending on how difficult it is to remove the tooth and how many teeth are being removed. Before wisdom teeth removal, your dentist or oral surgeon will review your medical history and do a thorough examination to determine if you need this procedure.
Your dentist or oral surgeon will likely give you a local anesthetic before beginning treatment. This numbs your mouth so you don’t feel any pain during the procedure. In some cases, general anesthesia may be used if you need multiple wisdom teeth removed at once or if there are other complicating factors involved such as jaw surgery or infection.
After your wisdom teeth are removed, it’s important to follow instructions provided by your dentist or oral surgeon for proper healing and recovery. This typically includes taking medications such as antibiotics or pain relievers as prescribed, avoiding certain foods until healing is complete, and rinsing with warm salt water several times per day to reduce swelling and prevent infection.
Overall, wisdom teeth removal is a common procedure that can help prevent complications later on down the road. It’s important to talk to your dentist about your individual situation so they can help determine if it’s necessary for you and provide guidance on what to expect during treatment and recovery time.
What Happens if an Impacted Wisdom Tooth is Left Untreated?
Impacted wisdom teeth can cause a variety of problems if left untreated, ranging from mild discomfort to severe pain. When a wisdom tooth becomes impacted, it does not have enough room to erupt in its proper alignment. This can cause the surrounding teeth to become misaligned and cause crowding. The lack of room for the wisdom tooth can also cause it to grow at an angle, pushing against other teeth and creating pressure on the jawbone. This pressure can lead to pain and swelling in the area. It can also lead to infection as bacteria from the mouth can get trapped between the wisdom tooth and the other teeth, leading to inflammation and soreness. In some cases, an impacted wisdom tooth may even become abscessed, resulting in severe pain and swelling that require medical treatment. If left untreated, these complications can lead to further damage such as decay or gum disease.
Removing Impacted and Non-Impacted Wisdom Teeth
Removing impacted and non-impacted wisdom teeth is a common procedure performed by oral surgeons. It involves the surgical removal of a tooth or teeth that are not positioned correctly in the mouth. Impacted wisdom teeth can cause pain, crowding, and damage to adjacent teeth if not addressed. Non-impacted wisdom teeth usually do not cause any issues but can still be removed for preventive reasons.
The process of removing impacted wisdom teeth is more involved than removing non-impacted teeth because they are more deeply embedded in the jawbone and in some cases, require cutting through bone to access the affected tooth. The surgical site needs to be enlarged so that the tooth is able to be extracted without damaging surrounding tissue. This can add time to the procedure and may require additional sutures depending on the complexity of the situation.
Non-impacted wisdom teeth are easier to remove because they have already erupted from underneath the gums. The dentist or oral surgeon will need to make small incisions in order to access them, but there is no need for extensive cutting or bone removal as with impacted wisdom teeth. This type of extraction tends to take less time than an impacted tooth extraction and requires fewer sutures due to its simpler nature.
The recovery time for both types of extractions is similar; it typically takes around two weeks for complete healing regardless of whether you had an impacted or non-impacted tooth removed. Swelling, pain, and discomfort are expected after any type of dental surgery and you may need to take pain medications for several days following your procedure. Your dentist or oral surgeon will provide instructions regarding post-operative care such as how often you should rinse your mouth with salt water, when it’s safe to brush your teeth, etc.
Overall, removing either impacted or non-impacted wisdom teeth requires a certain level of skill from an experienced oral surgeon in order to ensure that the procedure is successful and minimizes risk of complications such as infection or damage to surrounding tissue. If you have been advised by your dentist that you need one or more wisdom teeth removed, it’s important that you find an experienced professional who can perform the procedure safely and effectively so that you can enjoy long lasting results with minimal discomfort afterwards.
Benefits of Removing Wisdom Teeth
Removing wisdom teeth can offer several benefits for your oral health. These third molars are the last teeth to erupt in the mouth and can cause overcrowding, misalignment, and other issues. By removing them, you can enjoy a healthier, more comfortable smile. The primary benefits of removing wisdom teeth include:
Improved Oral Health: When wisdom teeth remain in the mouth, food particles and bacteria can become trapped in the hard-to-reach areas near them. This can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. Removing these teeth eliminates this risk and helps maintain overall oral health.
Reduced Risk of Damage: Wisdom teeth often grow in crookedly or become impacted, meaning they may be unable to fully erupt from the gums. In these cases, the surrounding teeth may suffer damage due to overcrowding or shifting positions in response to the crowded mouth. Removing wisdom teeth prevents this damage from occurring.
Decreased Pain: Impacted wisdom teeth often cause severe pain due to inflammation of the gums and pressure on adjacent teeth. Occasionally they may even cause headaches or jaw pain. Removing these problematic third molars can provide relief from these symptoms.
Improved Appearance: Wisdom teeth that emerge crookedly may leave gaps between adjacent molars or push other teeth out of alignment, resulting in an unattractive smile. Removing them can restore a more balanced appearance and improve your overall aesthetic appeal.
Conclusion
It is clear that wisdom teeth are no longer required for humans. This is because the human jaw has become smaller over time, leaving little space for the extra teeth. Additionally, wisdom teeth can cause health problems, such as overcrowding of other teeth and infections. Furthermore, some people may not even develop wisdom teeth at all. Ultimately, it is important to listen to your dentist’s advice regarding wisdom teeth removal as it can help to prevent future dental problems and discomfort.
Overall, there are many reasons why humans no longer need wisdom teeth and why removal may be recommended. It is important to understand the process of wisdom tooth extraction and its potential risks in order to make an informed decision about whether to have them removed or not. In any case, consulting a dentist regularly is always recommended in order to maintain oral health and prevent any dental problems from occurring in the future.