What You Thought You Knew About Wisdom Teeth
October 06, 2017 ABC Children's Dentistry
Wisdom teeth are the last that will develop in our mouths, and they have the potential to cause a lot of havoc.
In this issue, we’ll talk more about wisdom teeth, the meaning behind their name, their purpose and whether or not they need to come out.
What are wisdom teeth?
They are actually your third set of molars and typically come in between the ages of 17 – 25, the “age of wisdom.”
An interesting tidbit is that while some people have all four of their wisdom teeth, others have just a few – or none at all.
Why do we have wisdom teeth?
Some anthropologists believe wisdom teeth are the result of an evolutionary process to help with our ancestors’ diet of coarse food (roots, nuts, meats, etc.) that required more chewing power.
In their view, the innovations of modern technologies – including the use of forks, spoons and knives – has made wisdom teeth virtually useless.
When should I have my wisdom teeth taken out?
As soon as they begin to cause problems or when X-rays and dental examination show they may cause trouble down the line, it’s time for them to come out. The trick is that as we age, the bones in our mouths become harder, making our teeth more difficult to remove.
Among the problems caused by not having them removed is your other teeth being pushed around, which can easily lead to bite problems and mouth pain.
Reasons to have wisdom teeth taken out include:
- Potential for damage to other teeth
- Damage to the jaw
- Inflamed gums
- Possible sinus problems
- Cavities
Schedule Your Child’s Dental Appointment By Calling ABC Children’s Dentistry in San Diego
Our approach is customized to fit the unique individual dental needs of your child, and we do so with state-of-the-art technology and techniques that strictly follow guidelines recommended by OSHA.
Call us at 858-780-9794 or reach us via email or online.
