Why Do We Have Wisdom Teeth?

The first set of permanent molars erupts around the age of 6 to 7 years while the second molars appear by the age of 13 years. Just as you enter adulthood, the third set of molars make an appearance. These are the teeth that erupt at the back of the mouth, and are known as wisdom teeth. They are named wisdom teeth as they appear at a more mature age. They grow on the top and the bottom of the mouth, behind your molars. 

While this phenomenon is quite common, there are instances where wisdom teeth may remain dormant and never grow at all.

Evolution of Wisdom Teeth

The historical evolution of wisdom teeth is said to be associated to our early hunter-gatherer ancestors. They had to chew on rough and uncooked foods such as meat, nuts, and roots. As their permanent teeth wore down because of this tough chewing, wisdom teeth were nature’s way of providing a replacement. Now even with thousands of years of evolution, these teeth continue to grow.  

Signs You are Getting Wisdom teeth

Wisdom teeth make their presence felt with quite a few palpable symptoms. These include:

• Pain or stiffness at the back of the mouth
• Gum pain, swelling, or bleeding
• A foul odor or an unpleasant taste in the mouth

What Makes Wisdom Teeth Troublesome?

Your mouth has space to hold 28 teeth. But with wisdom teeth, 32 teeth are vying for the same space to exist and grow. 

Since there isn’t much room for wisdom teeth to grow, they usually crowd up the mouth. That’s why you often see them growing sideways or even getting caught between your jawbone and gums. This leads to the following set of issues.

• When wisdom teeth grow healthily, they aid the process of chewing. And when they are misaligned, they make chewing a discomforting process.
• Their impacted position pushes on to the neighboring molars too, causing pain and discomfort.
• Because they are located in the corners of the mouth, it becomes difficult to give them a thorough brush and flossing. This leads to trapped food and plaque, which may lead to cavities. 
• Their contamination may spread to other teeth rather quickly.

Your dentist is the best person to help manage your wisdom teeth. Schedule an appointment with us at Primary Dental Clinic, Midland TX, to know the best treatment plan. You can also call (432) 570-7080 to book your appointment.