Wisdom Teeth: Why Do We Call Them Wisdom Teeth And What You Need To Know About Them

At the first mention of wisdom teeth, many of us think of the funny videos showing teens and young adults acting funny after getting them removed. Yes, it is fun to watch but is there more to wisdom teeth that we should know about? Of course!

Here are some facts about wisdom teeth and a few important oral care reminders from your local wisdom teeth dentist:

Why Are They Called Wisdom Teeth?

The technical term for these teeth are the third molars, but its moniker “wisdom teeth” started back during the 19th century and it has stuck ever since. The reason for giving them this name is simply because of the age of a person where they start to grow. Wisdom teeth often start to show up between the ages of 17 to 25, when a person is more mature and therefore having more wisdom.

Although the reasoning behind the name back in the 19th century was all due to age, science has now proven that the brain does in fact reach maturity at 25. There might be some merit with the name wisdom teeth after all.

Does Everyone Get Wisdom Teeth?

Back in the day when humans did not cook their food the need for additional molars, was a necessary evolution. However, thanks to modern innovation we cook our food and use utensils to aid us in chewing and consuming food. This has made wisdom teeth like the appendix, unnecessary which means not everyone will have wisdom teeth.

However, over 53% of the entire human population will have at least one wisdom tooth, more so for men than women.

Do Wisdom Teeth All Erupt?

The fact is, no. For some, wisdom teeth grow like their normal teeth without any issues. However, for the unlucky portion of the population, their wisdom tooth can be hidden and impacted, causing a great deal of pain and discomfort when it starts to push out.

What Is The Best Solution?

A wisdom teeth dentist will recommend for patients to undergo extraction. This is the best solution for those with impacted teeth that is causing a lot of pain. As for patients that do not have enough room in their mouth to accommodate the additional teeth, it is also best to get them extracted. If left unattended, the third molars will push the other teeth and cause misalignment and possible pain as well.

When Is The Best Time To Get Surgery?

It is important to visit your dentist regularly to determine whether it is time to extract the wisdom teeth already. Although the jaw and teeth stop growing after 18, wisdom teeth usually do not cause problems until the age of 21. It is best to address the third molars before they become painful or cause extensive dental damage.

Removal of the wisdom teeth is usually recommended before major dental procedures are started as adults. This is to ensure that the results of the procedures such as adult braces and implants are not affected by the growth of additional teeth.

If you need a wisdom teeth dentist because your wisdom teeth are causing you problems, contact us today at Northern Virginia Oral, Maxillofacial & Implant Surgery. Schedule an appointment ASAP and don’t ignore that wisdom tooth.