Wisdom Teeth…Do We Need Them & Why it May Be Wise to Remove

Our third molars or wisdom teeth emerge right about the time we graduate from high school and head off to college.  So, in the midst of organizing to move in the dorm, another item to check-off is the appointment to evaluate your wisdom teeth.

Wisdom teeth, once needed in our ancestral diet of raw plants, nuts, roots and tougher meats required a larger jaw and more teeth for effective chewing.  Our larger jaws allowed for the third molar which enabled grinding and breaking down foods for digestion. Dietary changes with the advent of cooking and development of tools to soften foods reduced the need for strong teeth and larger jaws to house them.  The evolution of smaller jaws influenced by natural selection means that wisdom teeth no longer comfortably fit in the mouths of many people.

Common Issues with Wisdom Teeth

1.    Impaction: Wisdom teeth often cannot emerge due to the size of your jaw or the size of the tooth causing them to remain in the jawbone or gums which in turn causes swelling, pain and potential infection.

2.    Crowding: Erupting wisdom teeth can push other teeth our of alignment causing the possible bite problems.

3.    Partial Eruption: If the wisdom tooth only partially erupts through the gums, this may create a flap which traps food and bacteria leading to infections.

4.    Decay and Gum Disease: Due to position of wisdom teeth located in the very rear area of your mouth, cleaning may be extremely difficult. This issue puts you at a higher risk of gum disease.

Treatment Options

1.    Monitoring: Regular dental x-rays by your dentist to watch the development and ensure that they do not become problematic.

2.    Medication: Over the counter pain relievers to manage pain and swelling. Antibiotics for infections.

3.    Surgical Removal: The most common solution for many people is extractions. This procedure is generally performed by an oral surgeon.

Wisdom Teeth Removal

1.    Consultation: X-rays will be taken for both your dentist and oral surgeon to evaluate and determine the best course of action.

2.    Procedure: The procedure can be performed under local anesthesia, general anesthesia or sedation dentistry. The method of surgery will be determined by the complexity of the extraction and the preference of the patient.

3.    Recovery: Recovery is generally just a few days. Ice packs will reduce the swelling.  Prescribed antibiotics to lessen infection and over the counter pain relief recommended.

4.    Oral Hygiene: Keeping the mouth clean by a salt-water mouth rinse is very important.

Wisdom Teeth once a necessity for our ancestors now are more problematic than necessary.  If you have the room and no issues, lucky you, but if you begin to experience pain, swelling or sensitivity, consult with your dentist.  Plainsboro Dental Care is a professional, family dentist practice. Call today, 609-799-4422 to schedule your routine check-up.