What you should know about Wisdom Teeth Explained by Dr. Liany Farinas-Han
While some might think wisdom teeth got their name because they make you smarter, that’s simply not true. The saying goes that as you get older, it’s said that you become wiser and full of wisdom. The same is true for wisdom teeth. The average person is 17-21 years old, “older”, when wisdom teeth start to come in. That’s the real reason behind their name.
Wisdom teeth are the last teeth to come in on both your top and bottom row. These additional 4 teeth complete your mouth's 32 adult teeth. Since wisdom teeth are far behind other teeth in coming in, they often must be pulled so they don’t disrupt your current teeth's structure and alignment.
What are wisdom teeth for?
Wisdom teeth are molars that help chop up food into small pieces. Unlike your other molars, these are the largest of them all which helps make them the strongest. There was a time when our jaws could comfortably accommodate all 32 teeth, including third molars. Due to evolution, we no longer need our wisdom teeth. With them being so large, and unnecessary, it is common for many adults to have them removed. In fact, around 10 million wisdom teeth are removed each year in the US.
Here are a few reasons wisdom teeth may have to be removed:
Wisdom teeth don’t have enough room in the mouth
Infections or cavities are present
The wisdom tooth is causing damage to other teeth including misalignment
Root damage
Bone loss
It’s important you only have teeth that help keep your mouth healthy and free of infections. If that means your dentist recommends removing your wisdom teeth, it’s in your best interest to listen. They wouldn’t recommend extraction unless it was necessary.
What happens after wisdom teeth extractions?
In the instance that you’ll need to have your wisdom teeth extracted, your mouth may be sore for a few days after. Your dental clinic will most likely prescribe a pain relief medication, under the supervision of your dentist, for a few days to help manage any pain. Aside from that, it will be your responsibility to use the cleaning and care instructions you’re given to remove any food from the hole in your gums. You’ll also want to gargle with warm salt water every 2 hours for a week.
For more information on wisdom teeth, visit us and ask our dentist or hygienist any questions!
If you have wisdom teeth that may need to be removed and/or causing you pain, contact Smiles by Bergen Dental and make an appointment. Smiles by Bergen Dental is conveniently located in Midland Park New Jersey, within minutes from Ridgewood, Wyckoff, Glen Rock, Paramus, Ramsey, Allendale, Saddle River, and Ho-Ho-Kus.
