Wisdom teeth are essentially third molars leftover from a time in human evolution when our ancestors survived on a diet of roots and other tough foods. As our diet involved toward a more omnivorous range of foods, these teeth became obsolete. In fact, in modern times wisdom teeth are more of a nuisance, leading to complications and oral health problems.

That is why Dr. Daniel Cannon often recommends having your son or daughter’s wisdom teeth removed after their full complement of 32 permanent teeth have replaced their primary teeth.

Most people have four wisdom teeth, but it is not unheard of some individuals to have as many as six wisdom teeth, while others might have zero!

Wisdom teeth often start to emerge from the gums during late adolescence. Initial symptoms often include a deep ache in the gums or rear of the jaw. Some people complain of tension and pressure in the jaw muscles as well. An impacted wisdom tooth, trapped in the gums can cause pain, infection, and potentially damage their existing molars.

Even if one of your son or daughter’s wisdom teeth does manage to emerge from the gums without complication, it will still require daily care and cleaning. Partially emerged wisdom teeth can often be hard to brush and floss. This makes them much more prone to tooth decay and gum disease problems. This can actually have a negative impact on the healthy molars in the back of their mouth.

If you are considering having your son or daughter’s wisdom teeth extracted, you should call Cannon Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in Tulsa, Oklahoma at 918-743-1351 to schedule a consultation.