By Dr Derek N. Allan
Ready for a daily dose of wisdom? Most people know of Wisdom Teeth, but don’t actually know that much about them.
Wisdom Teeth are the ‘third molars,’ the set of four teeth that erupt into the back corners of the mouth, behind the 12 year old molars. They are the last teeth to develop and usually arrive between the ages of 17 and 25, a time of life referred to as the ‘Age of Wisdom.’
Not everyone has four Wisdom Teeth, some people are naturally missing one or even all four. Scientists wonder, Is mankind evolving to live without Wisdom Teeth? The early human’s jaw was larger and more prominent than it is today. With extra space, the jaw could comfortably accommodate all 32 adult teeth, including Wisdom Teeth. Teeth in general played a vital role in survival. Plus, it’s believed that Wisdom Teeth served as backup teeth when others were lost. Keep in mind that the early humans didn’t visit the dentist with the regularity that we do today!
Today, with our smaller jaws and refined cutlery, people question whether Wisdom Teeth are needed. However, Wisdom Teeth are often healthy viable teeth worth keeping. They do not need to be removed IF they are cavity-free, completely grown-in, positioned correctly and bite properly with the opposite teeth.
When a Wisdom Tooth does not fully erupt, it’s often ‘impacted’ and is unable to break through the gums due to lack of room. An impacted Wisdom Tooth can damage neighbouring teeth and cause infection. Generally your Dentist will recommend extraction of impacted Wisdom Teeth.
The decision to remove Wisdom Teeth is not always clear. It is best to speak with your Dentist or Orthodontist about the position and health of your Wisdom Teeth, and how they fit in with your specific bite.
Like all other teeth in your mouth, it’s very important to brush and floss Wisdom Teeth as part of your daily dental hygiene routine.
