Wisdom teeth are the last pair of permanent teeth, also known as third molars. They get their name from the fact that they usually come out between the ages of 18 and 25. However, for some people, wisdom teeth may not come out at all or may remain under the gums (known as being crowded or impacted).

What Problems Can Wisdom Teeth Cause?

A variety of problems can occur when wisdom teeth come out or become crowded. These can include:

Pain: If wisdom teeth are crowded or come in the wrong direction, they can cause pain in the mouth. Conditions such as swelling of the gums, infections, and pressure on surrounding tissues can cause pain.

Tooth Decay: Wisdom teeth are located in the back areas where traditional oral care, such as brushing and flossing, is difficult. For this reason, cavities may be more common in wisdom teeth.

Tooth Impactions: Impacted wisdom teeth can put pressure on surrounding tissues and affect adjacent teeth. In this case, the alignment of the teeth may be disrupted or neighboring teeth may shift and become crooked.

Cyst Formation: Stuck wisdom teeth can cause cyst formation by putting pressure on the surrounding tissues. Cysts are tumoral formations that occur when fluid accumulates in a space in the jawbone and can damage the surrounding tissues.

Removing wisdom teeth is usually an option to prevent or treat these problems. Your dentist or dental surgeon will evaluate the condition of your wisdom teeth by taking X-rays and performing an oral examination. If they are stuck, infected or at risk of damaging other teeth, tooth extraction may be recommended.

Tooth extraction is usually performed under local anesthesia and is performed by a dentist or dental surgeon. A certain healing process is required after the procedure and your dentist will give you instructions on how to care for yourself during this period.