The Wisdom Behind Wisdom Teeth

Getting your wisdom teeth out usually means a few different things. While it’s a great opportunity to miss school or work, it can also result in pain. It can be especially painful for those of us who had to wait until winter break or summer vacation to get them out. In that case, it can mean not being able to eat Grandma’s Christmas cookies, or being cooped up in bed while everyone else is at the beach.

Wisdom teeth typically come in between the ages of 17 to 21. While some people can live their entire lives without any problems with their wisdom teeth, some people have pain, infections, tooth decay, and gum inflammation associated with their wisdom teeth. If you have any of these issues with your wisdom teeth, then it is likely that you will need to have them removed.

Wisdom teeth graphic

Although having your wisdom teeth removed can be a painful experience, it is oftentimes necessary because wisdom teeth usually don’t come in normally, but rather become impacted.

Impacted wisdom teeth are trapped beneath the gum and bone of the teeth in front of them. If impacted teeth do erupt, they may only erupt partially and be tilted sideways. They can cause damage to the teeth surrounding them and therefore need to be removed.

If you aren’t sure whether or not your wisdom teeth need to be removed, your dentist will be able to tell you if the procedure is necessary.

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