What are wisdom teeth, and why are they such a problem?

Wisdom teeth usually appear at the back of your mouth during your late teens or early twenties.

Often there is no room for them or erupt (come through the gum) and the teeth fail to emerge property. A wisdom tooth can erupt partly through the gum, or remain trapped below the gum- this is known as an “impacted” wisdom tooth.

Why don’t my wisdom teeth fit my mouth?

There are theories as to why wisdom teeth don’t fit many people’s mouths. Some experts think genetics may play a part – for example, you may have inherited one parent’s small jaw, and another parent’s large teeth. another theory suggests the size of our mouths has decreased over the centuries, because our diet has changed and our jaws don’t need to be as large and strong as they were in prehistoric times.

Your wisdom teeth only need to be removed if they cause problems. For example:

Wisdom teeth can be very difficult to clean and are prone to tooth decay, gum disease and recurring infections.
Cysts and tumors can develop in tissues around impacted wisdom teeth.
If your wisdom teeth are unable to erupt, they may cause pressure and damage or crowd the neighboring teeth.

Wisdom teeth removal

Straightforward removal of wisdom teeth may be done in your own dentist surgery. If your case is more complex, your dentist may decide to refer you to an oral surgeon.

Surgical removal of wisdom teeth can cause more discomfort that routine extractions.

To find our what treatment is best for you, and the cost involved, please contact us.