Another uncommon unasked question we get here at Templestowe Dental Group! Why do we have wisdom teeth? Why do they bother us so much as a young adult? Why have I been told to have dental surgery for my wisdom teeth? You might say that they don’t hurt, so why do you still need them removed? Well, we are here to try and answer as many of those questions as we can.

What are wisdom teeth in the first place?

Wisdom teeth are the third set of molars we develop sometime between ages 17 and 25. They are called “wisdom teeth” because they’re the last teeth to emerge and you’re presumed to be wiser by the time that they do. Lame right?

Why do we have them?

According to anthropologists, wisdom teeth were likely evolution’s answer to our ancestors’ diet of rough foods (like leaves, nuts and meat) that required more chewing. We later evolved beyond the need for these teeth as we adapted to the modern diet of soft foods. Today, we cook our meals and we use utensils to cut and crush them instead of relying purely on teeth to tear through the food.

However, most adults still tend to grow their wisdom teeth despite the lack of need for them. Whether these teeth erupt and become visible or not, they can still cause oral health problems.  Wisdom teeth removal is part of preventive efforts to avoid them becoming a source of pain in the future.

Why do we have to remove wisdom teeth?

Human jaws have gotten smaller over time. As a result, they can’t accommodate the growth of wisdom teeth anymore. Indeed, most problems caused by wisdom teeth stem from the fact that they just don’t sometimes fit.

Wisdom teeth can also cause damage by pushing against their neighbouring teeth as they outgrow their space, causing alignment issues and mouth and jaw pain.

If the wisdom teeth didn’t erupt from the gums, they are called impacted, and these may cause more problems than visible wisdom teeth. They can cause teeth crowding and displacement of permanent teeth. Impacted wisdom teeth can also lead to bleeding gums, cavities, development of cyst, and gum disease.

Your dentist can help you assess your wisdom teeth and advise on what to do with them. Either to remove them to prevent you having problems to remove them when you are having problems with them!

If you are looking for a trusted dental care centre in Manningham, contact Templestowe Dental Group. Our dentists have also been catering to patients from Doncaster East, Donvale. Warrandyte, Park Orchards and Rosanna. We specialise in dentistry for children and adults alike, and we ensure your comfort before, during and after any procedure.

Book your appointment online today!