Wisdom teeth are called that because they usually come in when you’re older, around ages 17 to 21. These teeth are in the very back of your mouth. You get two on top and two on the bottom as part of a complete set of 32 adult teeth. They’re the ones most commonly missing from adult mouths.
You’re more likely to have issues with these molars than with any other teeth. A top reason is Impaction, when the tooth may not have enough room to come out from the gum like it should. (Impacted teeth).
Some dentists recommend Wisdom tooth extraction as a precaution because they could cause problems in the future, like:
- Before the tooth comes in, the sack of tissue around it can grow into a cyst, which can lead to bone loss in your jaw.
- If the tooth is on its side under your gum, it can destroy nearby teeth by eating away the roots.
- Bacteria and plaque can build up around a tooth that’s only partly out.
If your tooth is still below the gum line, you’ll likely need to have it removed. We need to refer to an Oral Surgeon for this procedure.