Wisdom Teeth Information
Wisdom Teeth Information: What Are Wisdom Teeth?
Wisdom teeth are the third molars at the very back of your mouth, called wisdom teeth because they usually appear in young adulthood, typically between ages 17 and 21. Most people have four wisdom teeth, though some people never develop any at all.
For families and young adults looking for wisdom teeth information—especially those in New Jersey who may be deciding whether they need dental care—this overview explains what wisdom teeth are, when removal may be necessary, and what problems impacted wisdom teeth can cause, including pain, infection, and damage to nearby teeth. You’ll also learn how dentists check wisdom teeth with X-rays, what preventive care can help, and what surgical treatment options are available at Abra Dental locations. Early humans used these molars to chew tougher foods. Modern jaws are narrower, so there is often less room for wisdom teeth.
Should wisdom tooth removal be considered?
They may not need to be removed if they are healthy wisdom teeth and are:
- Healthy
- Grown in completely (fully erupted)
- In the right position and biting properly with their opposing teethhalitosis)
- Able to be cleaned as part of daily hygiene practices
A dentist may recommend removal when wisdom teeth are impacted or causing problems.
Many times, however, wisdom teeth don’t have room to grow properly and can cause problems. Common symptoms include pain and swelling. Erupting wisdom teeth can grow at various angles in the jaw, sometimes even horizontally. Removal is often easier in the teens or early 20s.
The following problems with impacted wisdom teeth can occur:
**Wisdom teeth can remain completely hidden within the gums.**If they can’t emerge normally, impacted wisdom teeth can become trapped under the gums or jawbone; some cases are deeply impacted. Sometimes this can result in infection or can cause a cyst that can damage other teeth roots or bone support, increasing the risk of future dental problems and other oral health issues, including tooth decay.
**Wisdom teeth can partially emerge through the gums.**Because this area is hard to see and clean, wisdom teeth that partially emerge create a passageway that can become a magnet for bacteria that cause gum disease, oral infection, and other oral health concerns.
**Wisdom teeth can crowd nearby teeth.**If wisdom teeth don’t have enough room to come in properly, they may crowd or damage nearby teeth and contribute to crowding or misalignment of adjacent teeth.
Some dentists recommend removal of wisdom teeth even before they fully emerge or start causing problems. Many dentists believe wisdom tooth removal is often best in the late teens, before the roots and bone are fully formed, when recovery is generally easier after surgery. This is why some young adults have their wisdom teeth pulled before the teeth cause problems. It is usually an outpatient procedure, so most people go home the same day. Depending on how many wisdom teeth need to be removed, surgery typically takes about one hour. Recovery usually takes 2 to 3 days, although full healing can take up to two weeks.
Not everyone needs to have their wisdom teeth removed.
People may need removal when wisdom teeth cause symptoms such as severe pain, infection, or damage to nearby teeth, and surgical complications can include infection or nerve damage. Impacted wisdom teeth can trap food or lead to cavities on tooth surfaces that are hard to clean, this can lead to an infection and other problems. Teeth must be erupted fully to properly function when helping us eat and chew.
X rays help a dentist evaluate the teeth and decide whether removal is needed.