Did you know that 35% of people never develop wisdom teeth? Of the remaining 65% of us that do have these ‘third molars’, 85% will have to have their wisdom teeth removed.

But what are wisdom teeth? Why do we have them and when should we talk about them with our dentist in Lancaster?

What are wisdom teeth?

Wisdom teeth are a third set of molars that tend to make a late appearance once the dental arch becomes larger during our late teens to early 20s. As the ages of 17 to 25 have long been dubbed the ‘age of wisdom’, this is how our wisdom teeth got their name. They are the only teeth that don’t form while we’re still in the womb.

Why do people get wisdom teeth?

It is believed that diet, genetics and evolution each influence why some people have wisdom teeth and others don’t. In the past, when tooth decay and tooth loss were common and the human diet was much tougher on teeth, we probably would have had room for wisdom teeth to grow without obstruction and they would have compensated for other teeth that might have been lost. Times have changed, making wisdom teeth all but redundant.

Your ethnicity may affect whether or not you develop wisdom teeth too – while no-one needs their wisdom teeth for survival, you’re far less likely to have wisdom teeth if you’re of East Asian descent, for example. It’s likely that over future generations fewer and fewer people will be born with wisdom teeth.

When should I see a dentist about wisdom teeth?

Wisdom teeth can be healthy, viable teeth but, more often than not, we dentists see a host of problems associated with wisdom teeth. They often grow at an awkward angle, pushing into the neighbouring molars and causing unwanted damage. Sometimes they remain trapped within the soft tissues of the gum causing discomfort and pain – this is called ‘impaction’ and is the most common cause of problems.

If you have wisdom teeth that do erupt properly, you may also find that they are difficult to clean, making them prone to decay and infections. Generally speaking, people with smaller jaws are more prone to problems with their wisdom teeth as there simply isn’t room for them.

How to spot wisdom teeth

If you visit the dentist regularly for routine check-ups, they should be able to spot if your wisdom teeth are becoming, or have the potential to become, a problem. As a dentist in Lancaster, we see many patients who need wisdom teeth extraction.

You shouldn’t need to wait until you are in pain to have your wisdom teeth looked at though. It’s often possible to pick up on warning signs of potential problems before they occur.

If, for example, you have impacted wisdom teeth that can’t break through the gum, you may find that your gum starts to become tender and swell towards the back of your mouth. You may also experience some pain that radiates from below the gum line.

 The first signs and symptoms of wisdom teeth

It’s fairly common for wisdom teeth to partially break through the gum, so if you are aware of the rough edge of a new tooth poking through but it causes discomfort or is difficult to clean, it’s important to mention it to your dentist. If the area becomes infected, you may feel a warmth radiating out from the tooth and constant pain around the area. A course of antibiotics is often enough to clear up an infection but, if the problem looks likely to keep occurring, your dentist in Lancaster may recommend that you have your wisdom teeth extracted.

Some people experience headaches or pain where the lower jaw meets the skull; you may also notice a bad taste in your mouth. Again, if these problems occur, you should let your dentist know.

The best thing you can do to prevent problems with your wisdom teeth is to keep up your regular check-ups and mention any changes in your mouth to your dentist so that they can keep an eye on the area.

Contact our Lancaster dentists today

If you’re looking for a dentist practice in Lancaster, Viva Dental Practice can be ideal for you, just call us on 01524 735 431 to book an initial consultation.