The wisdom teeth, also called the third molars, typically begin to erupt in a person’s late teens or early twenties and often bring all sorts of dental problems with them. In many cases, dentists recommend having these troublesome teeth extracted to prevent serious oral health issues down the line. Here’s a guide to why we have wisdom teeth, why they often must be extracted, and what you can expect during the procedure.
Why Do We Have Wisdom Teeth in the First Place?
Before people started learning how to cook their food, they had to rely solely on their natural chewing power to eat tough raw meat and plant matter. At this point in human history, the wisdom teeth played an important role in grinding these fibrous foods into a pulp that could be easily digested.
In the thousands of years that have passed since then, food preparation techniques have resulted in much softer fare, causing modern jawbones to be slightly smaller. The wisdom teeth emerging in a mouth that does not have room for them can result in a host of oral health issues. Interestingly, some research suggests that feeding a child tougher foods at earlier ages can help their jawbones develop so wisdom tooth extraction may not be necessary.
Why Must Wisdom Teeth Be Extracted?
Since some people have enough room in their mouths to accommodate their wisdom teeth and others may not be born with any third molars at all, not everyone is going to need to have them extracted. However, many people experience serious problems when the wisdom teeth emerge such as:
- Chronic pain
- Crowding that can ruin the alignment of their teeth
- Difficulty with oral hygiene
- Impaction, which is when the wisdom tooth fails to emerge completely, making it vulnerable to infection
What Is Wisdom Tooth Extraction Like?
If your dentist recommends removing your wisdom teeth, you can rest assured that doing so is the best option for your oral health. Before beginning the procedure, your dentist will administer an appropriate anesthetic to render the process completely painless, and you will need a trusted individual to give you a ride home afterward. Wisdom tooth extractions can be simple, meaning that the dentist gently works the tooth out of its socket and free from its connective tissues, or surgical, meaning that a small incision must be made in the gums to access the offending tooth.
After the procedure, it’s crucial to stick to your dentist’s postoperative instructions to ensure that your healing process goes as smoothly and comfortably as possible. Once the recovery period is over, you can enjoy a life free from the pain and oral health problems your third molars can cause.
About the Practice
Soleil Dental of Mesquite offers exemplary oral health services to families and individual patients. Led by Drs. Diana Vazquez and Jose Aldana, the staff provides stellar customer service as well as a clean and friendly office environment. Areas of expertise include general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry as well as wisdom tooth extractions. To learn more about wisdom tooth extractions, contact the office online or dial (972) 288-3200.