In a certain light wisdom teeth are vestigial remnants of a time in human evolution when our ancient ancestors survived on a diet that was rich with roots and other tough foods. These teeth develop inside the gums along with our permanent teeth. Since there isn’t a lot of available space in the rear of the mouth it often invites problems with the teeth emerging properly.

The average person has four wisdom teeth. Some people might have as many as six, while others might not have any. The teeth usually attempt to emerge from the gums in late adolescence. In many cases there isn’t enough room for them to emerge completely.

Impacted wisdom teeth come in sideways or remain buried in the gums putting undue pressure on your healthy molars. In a situation like this the wisdom teeth need to be removed to alleviate discomfort and preserve the molars.

Wisdom teeth that emerge from the gums are still subject to plaque and tartar buildup. Because of their location they are often hard to clean. This makes them more prone to tooth decay and even gum disease.

Even if your wisdom teeth aren’t giving you problems you may want to have them removed. As you age your wisdom teeth can become partially fused to the jawbone. If you choose not to have them extracted later in life you may experience a much longer recovery time.

If you would like advice or a consultation about a possible extraction procedure, feel free to call us at 918-743-1351 to schedule an appointment.