Wisdom teeth are a set of four molars located at the very back of the mouth. They are the last teeth to emerge, often when someone is in their late teens or early twenties. While some people do not have wisdom teeth, many people do – and these can cause pain, overcrowding and other dental issues if they are not treated properly. In this article, we will explore the facts around wisdom teeth and answer the question: Does everyone have wisdom teeth?Wisdom teeth are the third and final set of molars that most people get in their late teens or early twenties. They are also known as third molars and usually erupt between the ages of 17 and 25. Wisdom teeth can cause crowding or misalignment of other teeth, and may need to be removed if they are impacted or cause other dental problems.
Signs of Having Wisdom Teeth
It is important to be aware of the signs that can indicate you have wisdom teeth. Although wisdom teeth typically appear around age 18, they may come in earlier or later in life. Common signs that can indicate the presence of wisdom teeth include pain and discomfort in the back of your mouth, swelling, bad breath, red or swollen gums, and difficulty opening your mouth.
If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to see a dentist for an examination. Your dentist will use x-rays to determine if wisdom teeth are present and whether they need to be removed. If that is the case, they will refer you to an oral surgeon for further evaluation and treatment.
Wisdom teeth can also cause crowding of other teeth if they come in at an angle or become impacted. If left untreated, this can cause further damage and may require orthodontic treatment to realign your teeth. It is important to seek dental care as soon as possible if you experience any signs or symptoms of wisdom teeth coming in.
Your dentist may also recommend preventive removal if x-rays show that there is not enough room for the wisdom teeth to erupt properly or if there is a risk that they might get stuck inside your jawbone or gums (impacted). Removing them before any problems occur can help prevent pain and infection due to overcrowding or impacted wisdom teeth.
When Do Wisdom Teeth Usually Come In?
Wisdom teeth typically make their appearance in the late teens or early twenties, although they can appear as late as the mid-twenties. They are the last of the adult teeth to come in and often cause overcrowding or misalignment of other teeth. Wisdom teeth also tend to erupt at different times, meaning that one may come in before the other.
It is important to have wisdom teeth examined by a dentist to determine if they need to be extracted. Many people have impacted wisdom teeth, which means that they don’t fully emerge from the gum and can cause pain, infection, and damage to surrounding teeth. If extraction is necessary, it is usually recommended to remove them when a person is in their late teens or early twenties so that healing time is minimized.
Although not all wisdom teeth need to be removed, it is important for people to consult with their dentist and discuss any necessary treatments if their wisdom teeth are causing discomfort or misalignment of other adult teeth. Generally speaking, it’s best for people to have their wisdom teeth assessed before they become a problem so that any potential issues can be addressed and treated promptly.
Reasons to Remove Wisdom Teeth
Wisdom teeth are the last set of molars that typically appear in the very back of your mouth between the ages of 17 and 25. Even though they are called wisdom teeth, they don’t always provide any real benefit. In some cases, they may need to be removed for a variety of reasons. Here are some common reasons why wisdom teeth removal may be necessary:
1. Crowding: Wisdom teeth can cause overcrowding in the mouth, pushing other teeth out of alignment and making it difficult to keep them clean. This can lead to an increased risk of tooth decay or gum disease.
2. Impacted Teeth: Impacted wisdom teeth are those that do not break through the gums or emerge properly into the mouth due to lack of space. This can lead to infection or cysts forming around them and cause damage to adjacent teeth or even the jawbone.
3. Decay: If a wisdom tooth does emerge partially through the gums, it can be difficult to clean due to its location at the back of your mouth. As a result, food particles and bacteria can get trapped around the tooth, leading to cavities and decay.
4. Pain: Wisdom teeth may cause pain if they become impacted or if they don’t emerge properly into the mouth. They can also cause pain if they become infected or inflamed. Removing them can often be an effective way to relieve this pain.
If you have any concerns about your wisdom teeth, it is important to speak with your dentist as soon as possible so that they can assess your situation and advise you on whether removal is necessary.
Do Everyone Have Wisdom Teeth?
Wisdom teeth are the third and final set of molars that usually appear at the back of your mouth, at some point between late teens and early twenties. Many people have these teeth, but not everyone does. It is estimated that about 60-70 percent of people have wisdom teeth. Whether or not you have them can be determined by looking in your mouth with an X-ray.
The absence of wisdom teeth is known as agenesis, which means that the teeth never develop during the person’s lifetime. Agenesis can affect one, two, three or all four wisdom teeth. It is also possible for someone to have a partially developed wisdom tooth or just one small fragment showing in their gums.
Wisdom teeth may become impacted if they do not have enough room to erupt or grow normally into the mouth. Impacted wisdom teeth can cause pain and infection in the gums around them, as well as damage to other nearby teeth due to crowding and pressure. If this is the case, then it may be necessary to remove them through surgery.
In some cases, people may choose to keep their wisdom teeth even if they are impacted or otherwise problematic. This is because wisdom teeth can help with chewing certain foods, such as tough meats or hard vegetables. However, it is important to consider any potential risks before deciding to keep your wisdom teeth.
Overall, not everyone has wisdom teeth and there are many reasons why this might be the case. If you do have them but they are causing problems, then it may be best to talk to your dentist about whether or not removal would be beneficial for you in the long run.
Understanding the Procedure
Before deciding to remove your wisdom teeth, it is important to understand the procedure and potential risks associated with the surgery. Talk to your dentist or oral surgeon about what will happen during the extraction and any possible complications. It is also important to ask questions about post-operative care and any pain management options that may be available.
Considering the Cost
The cost of wisdom teeth removal can vary depending on the complexity of the procedure, as well as insurance coverage. Be sure to ask your dentist or oral surgeon about any potential costs that may be associated with the procedure.
Preparing for Surgery
Once you have decided to proceed with wisdom teeth removal, it is important to take certain steps in order to prepare for surgery. Your dentist or oral surgeon will likely provide you with a list of pre-operative instructions, including dietary restrictions and other precautions that should be taken prior to surgery.
Considering Alternative Treatment Options
In some cases, wisdom teeth may not need to be removed if they are not causing any pain or discomfort. If this is an option for you, it is important to consider all of the pros and cons before making a decision. Talk to your dentist or oral surgeon about any potential alternative treatments that may be available in order to avoid surgery.
Possible Complications from Removing Wisdom Teeth
Removing wisdom teeth can lead to a variety of complications, some of which can be serious and long-lasting. The most common risks associated with wisdom teeth extraction are pain, swelling, bleeding, infection, nerve damage, dry socket, and sinus complications. Pain and swelling are the most common side effects of wisdom teeth removal and can usually be managed with over-the-counter pain medications.
Bleeding is also a common complication after wisdom teeth removal. It is important to follow the instructions provided by your dentist or oral surgeon regarding how to manage any bleeding that may occur. If bleeding persists or increases after several hours, it is important to contact your dentist or oral surgeon for further instructions.
Infection is another possible complication from removing wisdom teeth. This can occur if bacteria enter the wound site during or after the procedure and cause an infection. Signs of an infection include increased pain or swelling, redness and drainage from the area where the tooth was removed. If an infection develops after wisdom tooth extraction, it is important to contact your dentist or oral surgeon immediately for treatment with antibiotics or other medications as needed.
Nerve damage is a rare but possible complication that can occur with wisdom tooth extraction. This can cause numbness in the lip, chin, jaw, or tongue area due to injury to one of the nearby nerves while removing the tooth. Nerve damage typically resolves on its own over time but may require medical attention if it persists for more than several weeks.
Dry socket is another potential complication from removing wisdom teeth that occurs when a blood clot fails to form in the socket where the tooth was removed. Dry socket causes increased pain and discomfort in the area around the extraction site that usually begins within a few days after surgery. Treatment for dry socket usually involves cleaning out any debris from the socket and applying medicated dressings until healing occurs.
Sinus complications can also develop following wisdom tooth removal due to pressure changes created by air leaking into the sinuses through openings created by removed teeth roots during surgery. Symptoms of sinus complications may include facial pressure and congestion which may require medical attention depending on severity of symptoms experienced.
How to Prepare for Removal of Wisdom Teeth
Removal of wisdom teeth can be a difficult process and it is important to be adequately prepared before undergoing the procedure. Here are some tips to help you prepare for wisdom tooth removal:
1. Schedule a Consultation: Before proceeding with the removal, it is important to schedule a consultation with your dentist or oral surgeon. During the consultation, your dentist will examine your mouth and determine if removing your wisdom teeth is necessary.
2. Follow Pre-Op Instructions: Your dentist or oral surgeon will provide specific instructions on how to prepare for the surgery. It is important to follow these instructions carefully in order to ensure that the procedure goes as smoothly as possible.
3. Get Plenty of Rest: You should get plenty of rest before the surgery in order to help your body heal quickly after the procedure. Make sure that you get at least 8 hours of sleep each night leading up to the surgery and limit any strenuous physical activity on the day of the surgery.
4. Eat Lightly Before Surgery: Avoid eating heavy meals before your surgery since this can increase your risk of nausea and vomiting after the procedure. Stick to light, easy-to-digest foods such as soups, yogurts, smoothies, or toast for at least 24 hours prior to your appointment time.
5. Arrange Transportation: Make sure that you have someone who can drive you home after the procedure since you will not be able to drive yourself due to potentially being groggy from anesthesia or pain medication taken during or after the surgery.
6. Take Pain Medication as Prescribed: After the surgery, take pain medication according to your dentist’s instructions in order to help manage any discomfort associated with having wisdom teeth removed. Over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen may be recommended but make sure that you talk with your doctor before taking anything new in order to avoid any potential adverse reactions or interactions with other medications that you may be taking at the same time.
Conclusion
Though wisdom teeth are a common feature of the human mouth, not everyone has them. Those who do may encounter problems with their wisdom teeth, ranging from crowding to decay, and may need to undergo surgery to remove them. Others have enough room for their wisdom teeth to emerge without causing any issues. In any case, it is important for individuals to practice good oral hygiene and visit the dentist regularly so that any issues can be identified and treated promptly.
Ultimately, whether or not you have wisdom teeth doesn’t affect your overall oral health. It is important to take care of your teeth and gums regardless of whether you have four more molars in the back of your mouth. With proper care, everyone can enjoy a healthy smile that lasts a lifetime.