What are Wisdom Teeth?
Wisdom teeth are the third and final set of molars that come in at the back of your mouth, usually when you are between the age of 17 and 25. The purpose of wisdom teeth is to help you chew and grind food more efficiently, but more often than not, due to the lack of space, they end up crowding the other teeth in your mouth and cause dental problems.
Let’s take a look at what wisdom teeth are and why they come in at such a late age:
Definition of Wisdom Teeth
Wisdom teeth, or third molars, are the last of your permanent teeth to erupt in your mouth. They usually appear in the late teens to early twenties (between 17 and 25 years old). Wisdom teeth are normally found in the back corners of your mouth (top and bottom) on both sides. The age range when wisdom teeth emerge can vary significantly and can start as early as 13 or as late as 30.
Wisdom teeth have larger roots than other molars and require greater amounts of bone for anchoring. In some cases, there may not be enough room for full eruption of the wisdom tooth: an impaction develops. Impacted wisdom teeth can cause discomfort or pain due to overcrowding and typically require removal by a dental professional.
Anatomy of Wisdom Teeth
When a person is between the ages of 17 and 25, the last of their permanent teeth to break through their gums are called wisdom teeth. They are located at the back corners of the upper and lower jaws, and most people have four in total.
Wisdom teeth begin to appear in late adolescence or early adulthood, when tooth eruption occurs due to natural changes in hormones and jaw size. Each wisdom tooth is made up of two parts: a crown (which is the visible part above the gum line) and roots that go down below. The roots can be short, long or angled.
Despite the common name, wisdom teeth do not indicate any form of intellectual advancement over younger teeth. In fact, some people may never develop wisdom teeth or only have one or two appear instead of four due to inadequate space in their mouths. In these cases they may need special dental care such as extraction or surgery as they can potentially be impacted or cause problems with nearby teeth by crowding them out.
When do Wisdom Teeth Usually Appear?
Wisdom teeth are the last set of molars to usually appear in a person’s mouth. They usually begin to appear in the late teenage years or early twenties. Generally, wisdom teeth appear between ages 17 and 25 and can cause a number of issues for people.
In this article, we will discuss when wisdom teeth usually appear and what can happen if they are not removed.
Average Age for Wisdom Teeth to Appear
Wisdom teeth, or third molars, are the last teeth to typically appear in a person’s mouth. Though timing can vary depending on the individual, wisdom teeth usually begin to emerge between the ages of 17 and 21. In most cases, development and eruption of all four third molars occur within a one-year period.
Typically, wisdom teeth will first become visible as small bumps on the gums and progress in growth over time until they eventually emerge completely. However, it is possible for some people to reach their mid-20s without any evidence of wisdom teeth erupting in their mouths. Extraneous factors such as overcrowding or crooked gums can prevent dentists from seeing these early signs of development.
Though age is an important factor when looking at wisdom tooth development, it should not be assumed that all third molars grow in at the same pace or even make their presence known at all. An oral surgeon can use X-rays to identify if impacted wisdom teeth are present and evaluate any potential risks associated with extraction if needed.
Factors Affecting the Appearance of Wisdom Teeth
The timing of when wisdom teeth appear can vary greatly, as a number of factors come into play. They typically appear between the ages of 17 and 25 but may appear much earlier or later than that in some cases. The following are commonly cited as potential influence factors:
- Genetics: Your family’s medical history can play a role in the type and timing of wisdom teeth. Those with a parent or sibling who had an early eruption or none at all may be more likely to experience similar outcomes.
- Nutrition: Poorly nourished individuals tend to get their wisdom teeth later, while those with excellent nutrition often develop them earlier.
- Health: Stress, poor oral hygiene, lifestyle habits such as smoking, and certain diseases can all affect when wisdom teeth erupt.
- Environment: Location has been identified as a factor in the eruption time for wisdom teeth, with those living at lower elevations enjoying sooner eruptions thanks to bacteria levels increasing at higher altitudes.
What Are the Signs of Wisdom Teeth Coming in?
Wisdom teeth usually start appearing between the ages of 17 and 25. In some cases, they may appear earlier. Generally, this is the age where you can expect to start noticing the signs of wisdom teeth forming in the back of your mouth.
In the following paragraphs, we will discuss the signs that wisdom teeth are coming in and when you should seek professional help.
Symptoms of Wisdom Teeth Coming in
Wisdom teeth are the last set of adult molars to erupt. As they arrive, it can cause a variety of uncomfortable symptoms like jaw pain, swelling and difficulty opening your mouth. But what are the signs that wisdom teeth are coming in?
Typically, people between the ages of 17 and 25 have their wisdom teeth come in through the gum line. It’s important to be on alert for changes in your mouth that might indicate an imminent arrival of these teeth. Look out for these common warning signs:
- Swollen or sore gums around the area where your wisdom tooth is erupting
- Painful or sensitive jaw that is worse when you chew food
- Pain and swelling along your jaws and under the ear on one side
- Redness or tenderness at the site of your forming wisdom tooth
- Difficulty fully opening your mouth due to stiffness at the back
- Sinus pressure or congestion due to inflammation around wisdom tooth buds
- Taste sensations up along your cheeks as well as on a side of your tongue near where your wisdom teeth should appear
- Bad breath from bacteria buildup along with a funny taste in your mouth when you don’t brush thoroughly enough
If you experience any of these indications, consult with a dentist soon – Wisdom Teeth removal can be more complicated if they have already partially erupted through the gum line.
When to See a Dentist
If you suspect that your wisdom teeth are beginning to appear, it’s important to monitor the situation and seek dental help if needed. To determine if your wisdom teeth are coming in, watch for the following signs:
- Pain in the back of your mouth or jaw
- Swelling in the gums
- Reddening of the gums
- Bad breath
- Unpleasant taste in mouth
- Difficulty opening your mouth
- Headache or tenderness near the jawbone
If you have any of these symptoms, make an appointment with a dentist right away. Your dentist will be able to identify any emerging wisdom teeth, evaluate their position and development, and decide on a course of action. If an eruption is deemed necessary, it’s usually best done at an early stage as more extensive surgery may be indicated as later stages. Early intervention can also help prevent impaction or crowding of existing teeth.
How to Prepare for Wisdom Teeth Removal
Most people get their wisdom teeth between the ages of 16 and 21. It’s important to go to the dentist regularly to check for wisdom teeth, so you can be prepared to address any potential issues before they become a problem. Getting your wisdom teeth removed can be a daunting process, but with proper preparation it can be done safely.
In this article, we’ll go over the steps you should take to ensure a smooth and successful wisdom teeth removal:
Preparation Tips
When preparing for the removal of your wisdom teeth, there are several steps you can take to ensure a successful surgery and quick recovery. Before getting started, however, you should speak with your surgeon to understand what is required of you during this process.
The first step in preparation for wisdom tooth extraction is scheduling a preoperative appointment. During this visit, you will discuss the procedure with the doctor, who will explain the technique to be used and the type of anesthesia that will be administered. Your doctor may also recommend taking antibiotics prior to the surgery in order to help reduce any risk of infection.
You will also need to make sure that your teeth and gums are healthy prior to having your wisdom teeth removed. Schedule regular check-ups and maintain a good oral hygiene routine at home by brushing twice daily and flossing regularly, as well as using an antiseptic mouthwash after brushing.
In addition to practicing good oral hygiene before surgery, it is also important that you follow all instructions regarding dietary restrictions and medications given by your healthcare provider prior to undergoing any surgical procedure involving extraction of wisdom teeth. Avoid smoking or drinking alcohol for at least 24 hours before your procedure and avoid eating anything after midnight on the night before surgery. Make sure that you have someone available who can drive you home from the surgical appointment afterwards too!
Pain Management
There are a number of options available to help manage the pain associated with having your wisdom teeth extracted. Your doctor or oral surgeon can help you decide which option is best for you and your individual circumstances. Here are some of the most common methods to control pain after wisdom teeth extraction:
- Over-the-Counter Medication: Both ibuprofen and acetaminophen are commonly used to treat pain following wisdom tooth removal. Your doctor may suggest taking one or more of these medications, either as a preventative before the procedure, or as needed after the extraction. Additionally, certain numbing mouth rinses or sprays can be used before and after surgery to provide temporary relief from pain and discomfort.
- Prescription Medication: If over-the-counter methods aren’t enough, painkillers containing stronger opioids may be prescribed. Narcotic drugs such as Hydrocodone and Vicodin combined with ibuprofen work best for moderate-to-severe postoperative discomfort. It is important that these types of medications be taken only under the supervision of a medical professional and with caution due to their potential for addiction.
- Ice Packs: Applying cold compress directly to the area around your extraction sites will also provide some relief from throbbing toothaches, swelling and tenderness in the jaw area at home without use of additional drugs. Wrap ice packs in a cloth and place them on either side of your face where you were operated on in intervals (i.e., 10 minutes on followed by 10 minutes off).
Other simple home remedies like avoiding excessive chewing movements around your jaws, eating soft foods (such as soup), gargling warm salt water can also help ease postoperative discomfort while promoting healing following wisdom teeth removal surgery.
What Are the Risks and Benefits of Wisdom Teeth Removal?
Most people get their wisdom teeth in their late teens and early twenties, usually between 17 and 25 years old. It’s important to be aware of the risks and benefits associated with wisdom teeth removal, so you can make an informed decision. In this article, we’ll go over the potential risks and potential benefits of wisdom teeth extraction.
Risks of Wisdom Teeth Removal
The removal of wisdom teeth is a common procedure, but it is important to understand the risks before you have the surgery. One of the most common risks of wisdom teeth removal is the potential for infection. Wisdom teeth are located close to major nerves and other oral structures, which means that surrounding tissue may be damaged during surgery. This could lead to an infection or other complications. If a nerve is injured during surgery, it can cause numbness or a loss of sensation in your tongue, jaw, or surrounding area.
Additionally, there is a risk of developing dry socket. This condition occurs if the blood clot that forms during healing is dislodged and exposes underlying bones and nerves. Dry socket can cause pain, swelling, and discomfort in your mouth for multiple days following surgery.
Finally, since wisdom teeth removal typically involves general anesthesia, there is always a risk associated with sedation drugs like nausea, dizziness and headaches following the operation. It’s important to speak with your oral surgeon about all potential risks before having surgery so that you can make an informed decision about whether to proceed with the operation or not.
Benefits of Wisdom Teeth Removal
Removing problematic wisdom teeth can prevent future infections, tooth decay, and gum disease. Extracting wisdom teeth as soon as they begin to cause problems may help avoid further complications like jawbone erosion and movement of adjacent teeth. Removing them can also reduce crowding in the mouth caused by large wisdom teeth, allow more comfortable and effective brushing and flossing of molars so that those teeth will last longer, and alleviate pain caused by impacted or decayed teeth. A smooth healing process is possible with proper operation and aftercare. Following a timeline set forth by your dentist you should be back to normal activities in no time.
Moreover, extra space created due to the removal may lead to better alignment of the remaining teeth over time. It also allows for improvements in oral hygiene techniques since wisdom teeth are often located at difficult-to-reach areas in the back of the jawline. Furthermore, extractions may prevent bone loss due to cyst formation around an impacted tooth or infected roots due to the removal process itself creating cleaner saliva for a healthier mouth environment overall.
