Wisdom teeth are a little bit confusing, aren’t they? They show up late (usually in your teens to early 20s), don’t have any baby-tooth counterparts, and often require extraction to prevent them from damaging the rest of your teeth. So, why do humans get them, and what could happen if you decide to leave them in? Keep reading to learn more about these fascinating “third molars.”
Why Do You Get Wisdom Teeth?
Unfortunately, despite their name, wisdom teeth do not make you smarter. It comes from the idea that the teeth themselves show up at an older age, when you’ve supposedly gained a bit more wisdom.
Originally, it is believed that wisdom teeth grew in early man to replace worn permanent teeth that had become damaged due to ancient diets. Back then, humans did not have the culinary skills they have today, and ate a raw diet consisting of tough meats, roots, and plants that eroded their adult teeth down. The wisdom teeth showed up to replace them so they could continue to eat into adulthood.
Why Do I Need My Wisdom Teeth Removed?
Fortunately for early man, he had a very different jaw size than you do today, which left plenty of room to accommodate wisdom teeth. Modern jaw sizes are much smaller in comparison, and thus wisdom teeth don’t usually fit well into your mouth like they may have back then. This in turn causes problems such as crowding, impaction, and pain. It can also make cleaning your teeth difficult, which can cause an increase in cavities and gum disease.
While not everyone will need to have theirs removed, if your dentist is recommending extraction, it is likely that yours either are already a problem or will become one if kept intact. Left in place, your wisdom teeth can easily break your surrounding teeth or cause one or more of the issues mentioned above.
Remember, wisdom teeth were first used by early man to help replace teeth worn due to ancient diets. Thankfully, today you have many modern luxuries that allow you to keep your teeth much longer, so you don’t need to replace the back molars due to wear. Unfortunately, because today’s jaws are not typically large enough to accommodate third molars, they frequently need to be extracted but rest assured if your dentist has recommended this procedure, it is for your own benefit, and very necessary.
About Our Practice
At Soliel Dental of Mesquite, our team of dentists want what’s best for you. If you have been told you need your wisdom teeth removed, we are here to help you through the entire process, from understanding the potential problems keeping them may cause, to the extraction and recovery process.
If you have any questions or concerns about your wisdom teeth or the extraction surgery, please do not hesitate to ask your dentist. For an evaluation for wisdom tooth removal, or to schedule a procedure, please visit our website or call us today at 972-288-3200.