An Important Look at Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth are common, but they’re more well-known for the trouble they often cause than anything else. Known as third molars, they’re the last permanent teeth to develop and erupt from your gums. Often, this eruption is interrupted by the second set of molars, which leads to a host of issues that range from intense discomfort to severe tooth damage and misalignment. Today, we take an important look at wisdom teeth, including why they develop and why patients often choose to extract them before or because they cause so many problems.

The Purpose of Wisdom Teeth
The truth is, wisdom teeth no longer have much purpose. In the distant past, our ancestors may have required the extra chewing power to properly eat and digest a rougher diet of raw foods. However, they also had larger jawbones to accommodate the extra teeth. Today, our jawbones are smaller and our diets are softer. Yet, the development of wisdom teeth remains common for the time being.

What to Do About Them
The problems is that, because our jawbones are smaller, there often isn’t enough room for wisdom teeth to erupt. They become obstructed, or impacted, by nearby teeth, pushing against them and forcing teeth out of alignment. This can lead to increasingly worse tooth and jaw pain, which can only be relieved by extracting them as soon as possible. Your dentist can determine the exact positions of your wisdom teeth within your jawbone, and then surgically extract them to prevent them from causing more damage.

Ask Us if You Should Consider Wisdom Tooth Extraction
Despite the fact that most of us develop them, wisdom teeth are typically more trouble than their worth, and you may benefit from extracting yours before they start to cause trouble. To learn more, schedule a consultation by calling Oxnard Dentistry in Oxnard, CA, today at (805) 604-9999. We also proudly serve patients from in and around Camarillo, Ventura, Thousand Oaks, Moore Park, and all surrounding communities.