Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth are the teeth at the back of your mouth (the third molar teeth) and usually makes an appearance from the late teens to early twenties.  Some wisdom teeth do not come through fully and get stuck against the tooth in front or remain embedded inside the jaw bone. 

When they come through fully with adequate space in the mouth, wisdom teeth can help you chew. Just like teething pain with baby teeth, it’s normal to feel a little discomfort when your wisdom teeth first appear. But if you have persistent pain, then you should see your dentist immediately. 

If there isn’t enough space for the wisdom teeth to come through, they are described as ‘impacted’, which means they are trapped.  A trapped wisdom tooth will never ‘untrap’ over time and could lead to many problems.  A wisdom tooth may need to be removed for one or more of the following reasons:

-tooth decay 

-repeated infection of the gum

-damage to the tooth in front of the wisdom tooth

-difficulty cleaning resulting in decay and infection

-cyst near or around the wisdom tooth

-recommendation by the orthodontist either before or after braces. 

Keeping your wisdom teeth?

Wisdom teeth that are not removed should be monitored at regular intervals because the potential for developing problems in the future still exists. Be sure to visit your dentist regularly to evaluate your overall dental health and manage any problems before serious complications arise. 

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