The Tribune

The adult dentition of a human being consists of 32 teeth. The third molars - or ‘wisdom teeth’ - are the last set of teeth to erupt in the mouth.

Most people get their wisdom teeth between the ages of 17 and 25. Our third molars are nicknamed ‘wisdom teeth’ because their eruption time is so late, at an age when an individual is approaching adulthood.

If healthy and properly aligned, the wisdom teeth function just as well as any other teeth. However, more often than not, they are poorly aligned and eventually require removal.

Why is it most people have problems with their wisdom teeth?

Scientists have found, over time, the human jaw has become smaller. Since the wisdom teeth are the last permanent teeth to come in, there is usually not enough room or space to accommodate them in the mouth. This can cause the wisdom teeth to be impacted or partially impacted.

When a tooth is impacted, it is essentially trapped within the soft tissue or bone. Partial impaction means a portion of the tooth has erupted through the gum. With only partial eruption of a wisdom tooth, this leaves an opening for food/debris to become trapped around the tooth. A dental infection called pericorinitis may occur if this happens. The area where the food is trapped under the gum becomes swollen and red due to bacterial growth. Some symptoms of pericorinitis include a bad smell or taste in the mouth and a discharge from the gum.

Further, partially erupted wisdom teeth pose a threat because of their location and, sometimes, angle in the mouth. Wisdom teeth are found all the way to the back of the mouth making them hard to reach. Therefore, it is challenging for people to brush and floss effectively. If our teeth are not cleaned properly they can become decayed. Also, partially impacted wisdom teeth can cause the second permanent molars to be susceptible to decay. Food can become trapped between the wisdom tooth and second molar resulting in not only cavity formation but bone loss.

Impacted wisdom teeth can lead to other oral health issues. These include crowding and formation of a cyst. Pressure from impacted wisdom teeth may cause crowding of the lower front teeth. On rare occasions, a fluid filled sac (cyst) can form around the crown of an impacted wisdom tooth.

At your next dental visit, you should ask your dentist about your wisdom teeth. Your dentist will take a radiograph to evaluate presence and alignment. Based on your consultation he/she may recommend extraction of the teeth. Even if you are not experiencing any pain/discomfort, your dentist may opt to have these teeth removed before any problems develop.

Extraction of wisdom teeth is easier in younger individuals. So, the earlier it is done the better. In younger individuals, the roots are not fully developed and the bone is less dense, making it slightly easier to remove the tooth.

Impacted wisdom teeth do not always show symptoms, but consult your dentist today to prevent problems in the future.

Follow these words of wisdom!