Wisdom teeth (or third molars) are located in the far back of the mouth. It is colloquially called “wisdom teeth” because they usually appear between 17 and 25 years old, when people start to delve into adulthood, gaining wisdom and maturity. In some cases, wisdom teeth will come in and not give a patient any issues. However, this is not usual. It is estimated that 95% of the population have complications with their wisdom teeth, and most have little or no chance that those teeth meet masticatory function effectively without causing problems. Seeing a dentist Laurel MS can help you with extracting those teeth when the time arises.
Why do wisdom teeth develop if they are useless and cause problems in millions of mouths? One possible answer is that our ancestors needed more teeth to chew their diet back then. This extra set of teeth is no longer necessary, as most anthropologists would concur, because our jaw size has been shrinking over the last 20,000 years. Plainly put, our mouth no longer has room for the wisdom teeth. Although not common, there are people who fail to even develop their wisdom teeth.
When is it necessary to remove wisdom teeth?
It is not easy to say in advance whether or not it is necessary to extract wisdom teeth. Your dentist will have to be the one to tell you which option is best after studying your case. Overall removal is usually recommended in the following circumstances:
* The jaw is not large enough and the wisdom teeth are not able to poke through the gum;
* Wisdom teeth do not emerge at all causing the gums grow partially, favoring infections;
* Because of orthodontic treatment;
* Crowding caused by wisdom teeth;
* Tooth infection or damage to the bone is present; and/or
* The wisdom tooth is at the wrong angle.
In most cases, the recovery period lasts a few days and usually there are no complications. After the extraction of a wisdom tooth, you may be sore for a few days and you it is a great possibility you are given pain pills and antibiotics. You should follow the tips your dentist in Laurel MS give you to ensure a good recovery.
