Wisdom teeth, or third molars, usually erupt when a person is between 17 and 24 years old. Impacted wisdom teeth occur when one or more of your third molars have no room to enter the arch, are misaligned, or are growing at an angle that keeps them from fully erupting.
Why Are Wisdom Teeth Removed?
You might think that while they’re hidden under the surface of your gums, wisdom teeth are safe from disease and can do little harm. Unfortunately, that is not the case. Third molars can get cavities, abscesses, gum disease, cysts and can damage adjacent teeth when they are impacted. As a preventative measure, many people have their wisdom teeth removed before these problems arise.
Although fewer dentists are recommending extraction in all cases, the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons recommends that wisdom teeth in all young adults be evaluated for extraction or ongoing care.
Why Are Impacted Wisdom Teeth So Common?
Before humans cooked their food, they subsisted mostly on plants, nuts and seeds. In those times, wisdom teeth proved useful for grinding down the harder foods. Evolutionists believe humans had larger jaws because of the extra chewing, and there was ample room for the third molars to erupt and find their place in the dental arch. After our diets changed, our jaws started shrinking to adapt. Today, most people have much less room in their jaw for the third molars to work their way out.
Not All Wisdom Teeth Are Impacted
Some people get only one or two of their wisdom teeth, while some don’t grow any at all. Others, for various reasons, have no problems with wisdom teeth crowding or impacting their other teeth, and can keep their wisdom teeth for their lifetimes. Even though wisdom teeth do not always require extraction, they can still be vulnerable to tooth decay and should be checked by a dentist frequently to ensure they remain disease and decay free.
The best option to prevent you from having issues with your wisdom teeth is to have them checked periodically by Dr. Ben Johnson at Johnson Family Dental in Paducah. A regular dental exam will help prevent many complications that wisdom teeth can cause. For more information, please contact our office by calling (270) 554-2432, stop by our office located at 2913 Lone Oak Rd, Paducah, KY 42003 or CLICK HERE to contact us!