Do you have to remove wisdom teeth?
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Wisdom teeth, less commonly known as third molars, erupt at the back of the mouth between the ages of 17 and 25, slightly later or not at all.
What are wisdom teeth exactly? Is wisdom teeth removal really necessary? Let’s find out what this dental dilemma is all about.
Why are they called wisdom teeth?
Well, it goes back to the 17th century, not all that far back in the grand scheme of dinosaurs. These teeth were then known as ‘teeth of wisdom’ as they appeared at a juncture when you were no longer a child and theoretically wiser. Back then, people viewed the arrival of these teeth in what was, effectively, adulthood, as teeth growing when we were older and wiser.
Later in the 19th century, the term got changed to ‘wisdom teeth.’ We can only hope that 21st-century heads get together and give wisdom teeth a better moniker for all the trouble they cause!
What problems can wisdom teeth cause?
Well, think about it; you’ve got a perfectly settled mouth with all teeth in a neat white picket fence top and bottom. Then four extra bits of fence want to push in at either end. What’s going to happen? Over time, this results in crowding teeth meaning, the teeth erupt over each other causing crooked, irregular teeth that results in a misshapen mouth.
Wisdom teeth can also be painful if they come in crooked or start shoving other teeth around in your mouth. They can cause gum infections and be a very unwelcome addition to your mouth all around.
Had a wisdom tooth extraction recently and want to know how long does wisdom tooth pain last? Find out in our previous blog about Wisdom tooth pain: Causes and treatment.
Do you have to remove wisdom teeth?
Well, they sure won’t make you any smarter. Wisdom teeth are far from the molars of mindfulness; in fact, mostly they’re just late gatecrashers of a mouth having a perfectly good time.
The answer is yes, if they’re causing discomfort and disfigurement, it’s best to get rid of them. If not, leave them be. Some of us are lucky enough to soldier on with wisdom teeth intact. For others, the only option is removal.
Wondering what to eat after wisdom teeth removal? Read our blog about 10 Foods to eat after a tooth extraction.
Is wisdom teeth removal painful?
It certainly used to be back in the bad old days of dental care. Thankfully, dentistry and dental technology is advancing faster than an intrusive molar. As a result, the anaesthetics and equipment is in place to make wisdom teeth removal a surprisingly pain free operation.
