Wisdom tooth is also referred to as a third molar and is one of three molars that are in each quadrant of the mouth.
If you were to divide your mouth into four quadrants, upper left, upper right, lower left, and lower right, you would have three molars in each quadrant. The third molar is that wisdom tooth.
Most wisdom teeth don’t begin to appear until a person reaches at least 17 years of age and sometimes might not break through the gum until a person is 25. In some cases, wisdom teeth never break through the gum surface. Most adults have four wisdom teeth, though it is possible for a person to have fewer.
Because of the delay in coming in, wisdom teeth commonly impact other teeth as they begin to develop. These wisdom teeth can either push other teeth out of the way, causing an alignment problem requiring braces, or can become impacted, or come in sideways. When this happens, they are often extracted.
Today, wisdom teeth are not really necessary. Human ancestors had larger jaws and had a diet that consisted of a lot of plant tissue. These wisdom teeth, or third molars, were helped were used to help grind down food to improve digestion. As humans developed, smaller jaws evolved and made these extra molars less practical and necessary.
For anyone who has wisdom teeth that are impacted, coming in sideways, or are affecting any other part of their jaw, their dentist might recommend they have them removed. It is a relatively simple and straightforward process and while there are some people who say it is invasive and painful, it usually isn’t, especially with today’s sedative options.
Contact The Dental Centre to find out whether your wisdom teeth are coming in properly, are impacted, or should be removed. No dentist is going to recommend removing extraction if they are in proper alignment and appear healthy.