The wisdom teeth are the third set of molars, which are located at the back of the mouth. Often, the oral cavity does not have enough space to accommodate them, so wisdom tooth extractions are a very common procedure. But does everyone get wisdom teeth? How can you find out if you have them and whether they need to be removed? This blog post shares relevant information.
Some People Do Not Have Wisdom Teeth
For ancient human ancestors, a third set of molars was essential. They ate a rough diet, so a few extra teeth, which developed later than the rest, could be lifesaving. However, as human society has evolved, wisdom teeth have become unnecessary. The genome has changed, and the average mouth is much smaller than it was thousands of years ago. The wisdom teeth are now considered to be vestigial.
Because of these changes, it is no surprise that some modern folks never develop any wisdom teeth. Or, they might get just one, two, or three instead of the usual set of four. These individuals might be considered “ahead of the curve” in a sense.
Do You Have Wisdom Teeth?
Wisdom teeth usually develop when a person is in their teens or early adulthood. If you direct your tongue toward the back of your mouth, you might be able to feel them if they have started to emerge from your gumline. Or, you may look in a mirror and see them.
But what if you cannot see or feel them? Does that mean you do not have them? Well, maybe. In some cases, the wisdom teeth are impacted, meaning they get stuck beneath the gumline. During your next dental visit, your care team may take X-rays to find out whether you have any hidden wisdom teeth.
Fully or partially impacted wisdom teeth come with a risk of some oral health complications, such as pain, infection, cysts, and more. If your dental team believes that your third molars pose a current or future threat to you smile, they will likely recommend extractions.
Not everyone has wisdom teeth, but most people do! Talk to your dentist to learn more about them and how they should be handled.
Meet the Practice
At Four Town Dental, our team offers wisdom tooth removal in a welcoming environment. We use sedation and other measures to make the process as comfortable as possible. If you have questions or concerns about your third molars, we would be pleased to consult with you. To request an appointment, contact our office in Enfield at 860-856-6928.