Your wisdom teeth are the last to erupt, growing at the back of your gums. They often start to emerge during the late teens or early twenties. The other 28 adult teeth are often in position by this time; therefore, the mouth is too small for the wisdom teeth to erupt normally. 

Some people have all four wisdom teeth erupt (1 in each corner), while others may only see one or two behind their last molars. Some others may not even have wisdom teeth at all. This is especially as the person who gets wisdom teeth, and the person who does not depends mainly on genetics and ethnicity.

Because there isn’t enough room on the jaw, wisdom teeth might occasionally come in at an angle or get stuck and partially come in. When wisdom teeth erupt in this way, they are said to be impacted. 

Impacted wisdom teeth press against neighboring teeth, causing a dull, persistent pain. They also create breeding grounds for bacteria and potential infection. When this happens, wisdom teeth must be removed as soon as possible to avoid further issues. However, most people do not suffer any issues when wisdom teeth erupt; thus, they do not require extraction.

When is wisdom teeth extraction needed?

Your dentist may advise you to remove your wisdom teeth if you:

Don’t have enough room in your mouth

The average person only has the capacity in their jaw for 28 regular teeth; therefore, if four wisdom teeth start to emerge, they may not have enough place in their jaw for 32 teeth. If your jaw isn’t large enough to accommodate these additional four molars, your wisdom teeth may become impacted, which means they partially or improperly break through the gums. In this situation, wisdom teeth removal is required to make enough room in the jaw.

The teeth emerge at the wrong angle

If your wisdom teeth emerge fully but at an incorrect angle, they could put pressure on your other teeth and cause them to shift over time. Additionally, misaligned teeth can damage nearby teeth and surrounding bone, resulting in tooth pain and bite issues.

 

You feel chronic pain in the gums near the wisdom tooth

This can signify an infection brought on by partially erupted wisdom teeth. Pericoronitis, a painful infection, may develop when food and bacteria become trapped around your wisdom teeth. Extraction of the tooth will prevent further infection.

 

  • The cyst develops around your wisdom tooth

Cyst develops when the sac near your tooth is filled with fluid. This could damage nearby structures such as tooth roots or bone when this happens. In rare circumstances, a cyst left untreated may grow into a tumor, necessitating a more intense surgical procedure.

  • You have sinus issues

Problems with wisdom teeth can lead to congestion, pressure, and pain in the sinuses.

  1. You get gum disease, especially around your molars, or cavities in a partially erupted wisdom tooth.

Conclusion

You can get your wisdom teeth removed at any age if the teeth are causing problems. However, the optimum age range is between 18 and 24. A wisdom tooth can only be removed safely when its root has grown to around two-thirds of its full size. This could be before or after 18, depending on the patient.

Ultimately, even if your wisdom teeth don’t seem to be posing problems now, you should still consider removing them to prevent dental issues in the future.

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