The Facts About Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth get their name because they are the last teeth in your mouth to develop and grow in (erupt). Often times the eruption of a wisdom tooth takes place during late teen years or for people in their early to mid 20’s, which is why they are often referred to by a Boise dentist as the age of “wisdom” – hence the name.

While once extremely useful, wisdom teeth serve very little purpose. In fact, in most cases, people rarely have room for them to grow in! The reason for this is because our diets have changed as we’ve evolved as humans. Food that we once ate was very course which caused our teeth to break & wear down so fast that they would take up less space in the jaw over time. Because food was so hard to chew, they were often lost at an early age which created more room in the mouth for wisdom teeth when they came in.

As the last set (third) of molars to grow in, wisdom teeth develop in the bones of the upper and lower jaws.  Typically people develop four wisdom teeth one on the upper and lower sides of the mouth. While not all people develop a full set (some only have one, two or three), wisdom teeth often become impacted (covered by gum or bone) which may lead to emergency wisdom teeth removal by a Boise dentist.

Wisdom Teeth Removal Boise

Erupting wisdom teeth can grow in at various angles in the jaw including horizontally which can lead to a variety of Boise dental symptoms. On/off pain is typically the most common. Partially emerged wisdom teeth are also extremely prone to infection as they are the hardest teeth to clean even with a professional Boise teeth cleaning, and often times become a magnet for bacteria.

Your Boise dentist may suggest wisdom teeth removal if they are causing you:

• Pain
• Repeated Infection
• Cysts
• Tumors
• Damage to Nearby Teeth
• Gum disease
• Extensive Tooth Decay

While not all people need a Boise wisdom teeth removal. It depends heavily on whether or not there is enough room for them to grow in. Being able to keep your wisdom teeth also depends on whether or not you are able to properly care for them. However, people often choose to have a Boise wisdom teeth removal upon the recommendation of their Boise dentist while they are young in order to prevent any potential problems that may arise should they grow in. If you are experiencing any problems or symptoms due to the eruption of wisdom teeth, it is important to schedule a Boise dental exam, and talk with your Boise dentist about their wisdom teeth removal options.