What Are Wisdom Teeth?

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Often called third molars, wisdom teeth are the last molars to develop and appear in the mouth. Wisdom teeth normally become noticeable in teens and young adults. It is said that they are called wisdom teach because they appear in the stage of human development when children become adults and are therefore more wise and independent. Wisdom teeth are usually harmful to overall oral health because of their alignment and relationship to your other molars and gums. Wisdom teeth that are aligned badly can cause you to feel pain and discomfort.

An impacted wisdom tooth is one that is partly or completely positioned within the soft tissue. Impacted wisdom teeth fail to emerge into the normal position. This may happen because there isn't enough space to house the tooth. Impacted wisdom teeth vary by position. The classifications are mesial, horizontal, vertical and distal. Impacted wisdom teeth can also be classified as soft tissue or bony. Soft tissue refers to wisdom teeth that have already penetrated the bone. Bony wisdom teeth are still enclosed within the jaw bone.

Wisdom Teeth Drawbacks

- Can ...
... damage teeth that are nearby, as well as the nerves and jawbone

- Enables bacteria to cause an infection

- Can cause pain, stiffness in the jaw and general discomfort

- May encourage the development of tooth decay and gum disease

- They are difficult to brush and floss properly

To find out if you have a wisdom tooth or teeth, you can seek a medical professional. They will take an x-ray of your oral cavity to determine if there are wisdom teeth present and how they are aligned. It is possible that your dentist may suggest that you have your wisdom teeth removed because of one of the above negative drawbacks. Your dentist may also recommend surgery as a preventative measure. If you have your wisdom teeth removed when you are in your teens or early twenties, your healing time will be much shorter than if you wait until later on.

Removal Process

If you decide to have your wisdom teeth removed, you should become familiar with the process. The process depends on the status of the wisdom tooth. Wisdom teeth that are enclosed or trapped beneath the line require an incision into the gum and possibly the jawbone. You may opt to have two or four of your teeth removed at one given time. Having all four removed at once can be difficult, but it is recommended, especially for younger people. After you receive local anesthesia, the incision is made and the tooth is pulled out using a tool. If you are nervous about getting your wisdom tooth extracted, you may need to get a sedative to relax you. This kind of removal will need a longer recovery time. Wisdom teeth that have already emerged from the surface are more easily removed.

After your wisdom teeth are pulled you can except to have difficulty eating and speaking because of the pain, swelling in the face and bleeding that will occur. You may only be able to eat liquid foods. Pain medications may be used to ease the pain and discomfort.