Wisdom Teeth: To Keep or Not to Keep?
Wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, are the last set of molars that typically emerge in late adolescence or early adulthood. While these teeth served a purpose in our evolutionary past, they often pose challenges in the modern world. Whether to keep or remove wisdom teeth is a common question. Even dentists may disagree on whether individual patients should keep their wisdom teeth or have them extracted.
Why Do We Have Wisdom Teeth?
In ancient times, when our ancestors had a rougher diet that included tougher foods, the emergence of wisdom teeth was beneficial. These additional molars helped in chewing and grinding fibrous plant material. However, as human diets evolved, becoming softer and more processed, the need for these extra molars diminished.
Modern Problems with Wisdom Teeth
These days, wisdom teeth are prone to problems because our jaws are smaller, and the wisdom teeth don’t have room to come in properly. This leads to complications that can be painful or dangerous, including:
- Impaction: Wisdom teeth are notorious for being prone to impaction, where they don’t fully emerge from the gum line. This can lead to pain, swelling, and increased susceptibility to infection.
- Crowding: The modern human jaw has evolved to be smaller than our ancestors’, potentially leading to issues like crowding when wisdom teeth attempt to emerge. This can result in misalignment of existing teeth.
- Infection: The position of wisdom teeth at the back of the mouth can make them challenging to clean properly. This increases the risk of infection, cavities, and gum disease.
- Pain: Even if wisdom teeth emerge without complications, they can still cause discomfort, pain, and headaches due to the pressure they exert on neighboring teeth and tissues.
When Can I Keep My Wisdom Teeth?
In some situations, it is possible to keep your wisdom teeth. Not everyone has to have them removed. If we carefully monitor your wisdom teeth and see signs that they are coming in without issues, you may be able to keep them. If they erupt correctly without causing pain or misalignment and can be adequately cleaned, keeping them might be an option. If the jaw is large enough and the wisdom teeth do not interfere with the function or alignment of other teeth, they may serve a functional purpose.
If your wisdom teeth are not removed, regular dental check-ups and X-rays are necessary to monitor the development and health of your wisdom teeth. Some patients develop problems with their wisdom teeth later in life and must have them removed at that time.
Why Do Most People Get Their Wisdom Teeth Removed?
Most people get their wisdom teeth removed in their teens or twenties as a preventative measure to avoid the possible development of complications such as impaction, misalignment, or infection later in life. However, many people in this age group develop an impacted wisdom tooth or painful toothache when the teeth begin to erupt, leading to the need for oral surgery to extract the teeth.
We may recommend the removal of the wisdom teeth before they cause problems if it is likely they will cause problems later in life. Wisdom teeth continue to grow longer roots as we age. If your wisdom teeth develop an infection or abscess in your 30s or older, the longer roots make oral surgery more difficult. The risk of damage to nerves in the jawbone is higher, and healing takes longer.
The decision to keep or remove wisdom teeth is highly individual. At Tonka Smiles, we may recommend removal and refer you to an oral surgeon. If you choose to keep your wisdom teeth, regular dental check-ups, X-rays, and open communication with Drs. Johnson and Phillips can help you make the right decision based on your oral health needs.
If you have concerns about your wisdom teeth or your teen’s wisdom teeth, please give us a call at Tonka Smiles Phone Number 952-938-8533 to schedule an appointment. We will do a thorough evaluation and discuss your wisdom teeth options.