What Are Wisdom Teeth?
Wisdom teeth are vestigial structures, remnants of our sapiens ancestry. Over the years, think millennia, the jaws of humans have gotten smaller as our diets have required less from our jaws; though our jaws have adapted to our more dentally-lenient diets, our teeth have not. You may know that humans have 32 teeth, but four of these teeth are typically wisdom teeth. A modern human jaw rarely has room for all 32 teeth which is why some people feel intense discomfort and can even have their teeth shift once wisdom teeth come in.
Does Everyone Need To Get Their Wisdom Teeth Removed?
No! If your wisdom teeth aren’t causing you pain and have come in, otherwise known as erupted, then you may not need to get them removed. Your dentist will take an X-ray of your mouth, and consult you on your best option in order to ensure no complications in the future.
What Happens If I Don’t Get My Wisdom Teeth Removed?
If your dentist recommends you get your wisdom teeth removed and you don’t, this can lead to oral complications from infections to needing surgery. Your doctor will recommend wisdom teeth removal in some cases but most often when a tooth is impacted, this is when your wisdom tooth gets stuck in the bone and can’t erupt through the gum line. Impacted teeth can push adjacent teeth, necessitating braces or reconstructive surgery, or they may partially erupt and be a site of constant infections.
If you’re considering removing your wisdom teeth, or fear they may be impacted, don’t be stupid when it comes to wisdom teeth! Come meet with Dr. Leslie Sultan for experience and care. Call us now at 954-771-8772!
