Did you know that many healthy human mouths grow 32 teeth, rather than 28? The last four, known as the third molars, usually begin to erupt between the ages of 17 and 25, which is often referred to as the “age of wisdom.” Though your third molars may seem like a rite of passage into your adult years, wisdom teeth often prove more trouble than a mere symbol. Today, we explore common problems with the growth of wisdom teeth, and why they must often be extracted to preserve your good oral health.
Some Trouble Coming In
As the last teeth to erupt, wisdom teeth often face a difficult problem; many mouths can only comfortably accommodate 28 teeth, and have little room for the last four wisdom teeth to grow. As a consequence, the eruption of these molars can often become impeded by those present, resulting in awkward positioning that can cause the wisdom tooth to forcefully push against present molars and lead to sometimes debilitating discomfort. Since your teeth can’t simply stop growing when they hit an obstruction, the condition can grow worse if you do not have the wisdom teeth extracted.
Taking Preemptive Action
Though wisdom teeth can often develop and erupt without a hitch, some patients choose to have their wisdom teeth removed before they even have a chance to cause trouble. Since wisdom teeth are notorious for their discomfort and negative influences on your oral health, removing them preemptively may be a wise decision, and will not affect the proper function of your mouth.
ABOUT YOUR CEDAR RAPIDS, IA, DENTIST:
Our highly-experienced team at Cedar Dental provide a comprehensive array of dental care services to patients of all ages. Your custom dental treatment will not only improve your smile’s appearance, but also its health and function. To learn more, or to schedule an appointment with our dental health experts, call Cedar Dental in Cedar Rapids, IA, today at (319) 364-7108. We also welcome patients from Mount Vernon, Iowa City, Hiawatha, and all nearby communities.
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