Wisdom teeth have evolved
A long time ago, wisdom teeth once served a purpose. Now, for many years wisdom teeth have not served a purpose at all.
Anthropologists and scientists have found that our ancestors’ diets once consisted of nuts, raw meats, roots, leaves, and powerful teeth requiring strong chewing power. Today, we cook and soften our meals; therefore, we don’t need extra powerful teeth to cut through raw and hard foods.
Humans have evolved, and we now have smaller jaws with no space for wisdom teeth.Many dental field experts recommend wisdom teeth extraction to avoid issues caused by impaction.
Most adults develop wisdom teeth between the ages of 17 and 21, also known as third molars. Usually, wisdom teeth are useless and cause problems later on in life, including impactions.
Wisdom teeth can cause oral problems
Since humans’ jaws have become smaller over time, there is less space in the mouth. Eventually, wisdom teeth can’t erupt through the gums and cause impacted wisdom teeth.
Unfortunately, impacted wisdom teeth push your visible teeth and cause them to begin to grow abnormally.
Problems include:
- Crooked teeth
- Crowded teeth
- Jaw pain
- Cysts underneath the gum line
- Possible growth of tumors in the gums
- Wisdom teeth growing sideways
- Tooth Decay
Don’t delay your wisdom teeth removal
Wisdom teeth become more problematic over time. A specialist needs to evaluate each patient for wisdom teeth removal at an early age. At an early age, roots and bone haven’t fully formed, and the healing process from surgery will be better. The older you are, the more difficult it is to extract wisdom teeth, leading to a more painful recovery.
Conclusion
It is highly recommended to remove your wisdom teeth by a specialist with experience. If you need wisdom teeth extraction and would like to consult with our periodontist, please call us at (713) 636-9734 to schedule an appointment. At Bellaire Periodontics, Dr. Sharon Minott-Warren and our team specialize in helping our patients have safe, smooth, and quick procedures.