29 Amazing Wisdom Teeth Facts That Are Worth Knowing

One of the three molars per quarter of the human teeth is a third molar, also known as a wisdom tooth.

The furthest back of the three is indeed the wisdom tooth. The age at which the third molars emerge (erupt) varies, although it usually happens between late adolescence and early adulthood.

The NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) and the National Health Service in the United Kingdom, are among those who reject this preventative infection-free impacted wisdom teeth removal and extraction process.

There is quite some variation in the reported age of wisdom tooth eruption across various groups. Wisdom teeth, for example, emerge sooner in persons of African ancestry than in those of Asian or European ancestry.

Wisdom teeth (also known as the third molar in clinical terms) are the most often impacted teeth in the human jaws. In 12% of instances, impacted wisdom teeth cause problems. Less than 2% of persons aged 65 and over keep their teeth free of cavities and periodontal disease risk, whereas 13% keep their unimpacted wisdom teeth free of cavities and periodontal disease risk.

Wisdom Teeth In Babies Vs. Adults

Baby teeth, known as primary teeth, are the initial set of teeth that a baby has. Around six months of age, the first baby tooth will be seen.

By the time your kid is two to three years old, he or she will have 20 primary teeth. However, wisdom teeth are not among them.

Permanent teeth, often known as adult teeth, are the second set of teeth. Permanent teeth normally appear between the ages of six to seven.

An adult with all of their permanent teeth will have 32 teeth in total.

Wisdom teeth do not appear until the dental arch has grown bigger, around the age of 17-25, and this period is known as the 'age of wisdom.'

Functions Of Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth, or third molars, according to anthropologists, evolved in response to our ancestors' hunter-gatherer diet, which included coarse, rough food such as leaves, roots, nuts, and meats.

A majority of individuals have four wisdom teeth, one in each of the four quadrants; however, it is feasible to have none, one to three, or even more than four, in which case the extras are known as supernumerary teeth.

Wisdom teeth are not so important as we feed on soft foods now. However, they were extremely important in olden times when humans used to eat raw meat and plants.

Even though these teeth are not required for eating, some individuals chew with their third molars.

Studies have shown that certain individuals continue to utilize these teeth for specific purposes.

Medical Conditions Caused By Wisdom Teeth

When you open your mouth wide to chew certain food, does your jaw get stiff or painful? This might be due to impacted wisdom teeth that have been glued to your jawbone, putting additional pressure on it. The pain, stiffness, and discomfort you're feeling are the ultimate bad consequences of third molars.

Headaches are a typical sign of a variety of dental problems. Pressure from impacted wisdom teeth may go to your skull, just as it does to your jaw.

Typically, the discomfort will be on one side of your head, on the side of the wisdom tooth that is causing the problem.

You may have jaw pain as well as neck discomfort due to wisdom teeth.

Getting a stab in the mouth or cheek: A wisdom tooth that is developing at an angle might sometimes pierce your tongue or cheek.

This can be quite painful and can result in a wound on the tongue or face. When you eat or converse, the wound becomes inflamed, infected, and swells up.

This also makes it very hard, if not impossible, for them to break free from your gums. To avoid future difficulties or infections, it is recommended to have wisdom tooth removal surgery as soon as feasible with appropriate dental care.

Infections or gums disease: Occasionally, impacted wisdom teeth can break through the surface and then stop.

Deep pockets form in your gums as a result of this, and food debris starts to gather in these pockets.

Brushing and flossing alone are often insufficient to remove the particles, so they linger in the pockets, ultimately causing tooth decay and becoming infectious. Periodontal gum disease is caused by your gums pulling away from your teeth over time.

Even if you maintain excellent dental care, an impacted wisdom tooth might leave you vulnerable to gum infection.

Teeth in the area are moving or hurting: When wisdom teeth come in at an angle, it might cause crowding with the teeth around them.

The surrounding teeth might move as a result of overcrowding. It can be uncomfortable when teeth begin to move.

In most situations, the discomfort is caused by the moving tooth rather than the wisdom tooth, which might be deceiving.

You can also feel discomfort in your jaw and wisdom tooth removal is the only procedure left to cure the wisdom tooth pain.

If there isn't enough room in the mouth for wisdom teeth to come through naturally, they may get caught (impacted) on other teeth. Impacted wisdom teeth extraction is a common orthodontic surgery to extract wisdom teeth, although there isn't any evidence lately that they shift the other teeth and create crowding in the jaw.

If dental care becomes more difficult, wisdom teeth that have been impacted can develop tooth decay.

Pericoronitis is an infection or inflammation of gums caused by wisdom teeth that have partially erupted through gums.

Although certain more conservative procedures, like an operculectomy, may be appropriate in some situations.

Impacted wisdom teeth extraction is often used as a remedy for these issues, often before they even arise.

Remember that pain and discomfort in your teeth or gums are not natural, especially if it occurs often. If you're having any of the mentioned problems, you should call your dentist right away to set up an appointment for a checkup. They will be able to then evaluate whether or not your wisdom teeth should be removed after inspecting your teeth with an X-ray or other scans.

Benefits Of Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth are often removed by dentists since they don't serve any special role.

These teeth are remaining pieces from a time when people ate harder seeds, roots, and leaves.

They are of no use now since other molars are highly capable of grinding down the sorts of food that people of today ingest.

FAQs

What are wisdom teeth good for?

As of current times, wisdom teeth are of no use, but they had their own specific uses in the evolutionary history of humankind.

Are wisdom teeth lucky?

Some people believe that having wisdom teeth is lucky, whereas others believe the removal of these teeth brings luck. So, it cannot be exactly said whether they are lucky or not.

What are myths about wisdom teeth?

One of the most widely held myths concerning wisdom teeth is that they have no function in the mouth. Some argue that wisdom teeth are a vestigial structure similar to the appendix and that they are unnecessary. However, research has revealed that some people continue to use these teeth for specific purposes. Although they are not necessary for eating, some people chew with their third molars.

What is so bad about wisdom teeth?

Wisdom teeth that have been impacted cause a variety of issues in the mouth, including other teeth getting harmed, cysts, decay, and gum disease.

Are wisdom teeth important?

No, wisdom teeth are not so important as we feed on soft foods now. However, they were extremely important in olden times when humans used to eat raw meat and plants.

When do wisdom teeth roots form?

About three years before they erupt, most teeth begin to grow behind the gums in the jawbone. The crowns emerge first, followed by the roots.

What is the importance of wisdom teeth?

When healthy and correctly aligned, third molars can be a significant addition to the jaws. However, they are often misaligned and need removal.

How fast do wisdom teeth roots grow?

Wisdom teeth roots grow at a moderate rate.

Is it rare to have all four wisdom teeth?

It is not very rare to have four wisdom teeth.

What can you eat after wisdom teeth removal?

You should eat light and soft food items such as mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, mashed bananas, yogurt, and ice cream.

What age do wisdom teeth come in?

Wisdom teeth normally emerge from the ages of 17-21. In certain populations, eruption may begin as early as age 13 and often happens before the age of 25. Oral surgeons often believe the tooth will not erupt freely if it has not erupted by the years of 25. After an eruption, root growth might last up to three years.