Why Do We Have Wisdom Teeth?
Did you know that approximately 85% of Americans have their wisdom teeth pulled? Wisdom teeth are the third molars that emerge between the ages of 16 and 20. When our Columbus dentist sees that your wisdom teeth are going to cause issues for the rest of your teeth, they may recommend wisdom tooth removal.
When so many people have to have their , it makes you wonder why wisdom teeth are needed at all. Why do we have wisdom teeth? The answer may just lie in our ancestry.
Wisdom Teeth Have Ancient Roots
The most widely accepted theory behind wisdom teeth asks us to look to the diet of our distant ancestors for answers. Early humans ate a much different diet than the soft foods we eat today. Our ancestors lived off a diet that consisted of roots, raw meat, and tough plants. To help them grind these tough foods, they developed a third set of molars and larger jaws to accommodate the extra teeth.
Today, humans have smaller jaws and eat much softer foods. However, our genes still produce wisdom teeth that no longer have room to grow. When wisdom teeth don’t have room to properly emerge through the gum line, they can come in at odd angles or even horizontally. In other words, crooked wisdom teeth can cause a lot of damage to your smile and undo years of orthodontics.
When Is Removal The Right Decision?
A knowledgeable dentist will be able to look at your x-rays to determine if you’ll need wisdom tooth removal. Wisdom teeth don’t form until around the age of 10 and don’t emerge until early adulthood. This means that your dentist will have plenty of time to monitor the angles of the wisdom teeth and determine whether there’s enough space in your jaw to accommodate the extra teeth.
Wisdom teeth that are coming in crooked or are expected to crowd permanent teeth must be removed as soon as possible. If your jawbone is too small to accommodate wisdom teeth, these teeth may become trapped under the surface of the gum or may only partially erupt. In these scenarios, crooked or impacted wisdom teeth can weaken bone structure, undo years of orthodontic work, and cause pain and infection.
We Treat Each Wisdom Teeth Case Individually
While most people have their during early adulthood, there are some people who are able to keep some or all of their wisdom teeth. If your wisdom teeth are coming in straight and there’s enough space in the jaw, your dentist may tell you that a wisdom teeth extraction procedure isn’t necessary.
Each patient’s dental history is unique, which is why your dentist will need to look at your x-rays to determine if you are able to keep your wisdom teeth. A professional dentist will be able to show you x-rays of your teeth and explain the situation in a way that is easy for you to understand.
Schedule an Appointment
If you are interested in our wisdom teeth removal service, please feel free to call our Columbus dental practice at (614) 878-9562. Dr. Adam Gibson DDS has dedicated his career to providing patients with the highest level of dental care.
If you want to read more, check out this related blog post: Why Having Your Wisdom Teeth Removed Could Be a Smart Move
This blog post has been updated.