The wisdom teeth are known as the most likely tooth your dentist will recommend for removal. Most individuals find that their dentist recommends they remove at least one or all of their wisdom teeth. Why is this? Do wisdom teeth serve a purpose? The short answer is that in today’s world, they actually do not. Wisdom teeth are a leftover element of our physiology that serve no concrete purpose in the modern human body.
If you are curious about wisdom teeth extraction, take a look at this overview that describes the wisdom teeth and reasons you may want to opt in to having your own removed.
What are Wisdom Teeth?
Wisdom teeth refer to the back set of molars on either the top or bottom set of teeth. Because of their obscure location, most people pay for their wisdom teeth with little concern unless they suddenly have a problem with one. Because they are prone to developing cavities and other dental issues, many dentists will advise that you have them removed.
Do Wisdom Teeth Serve a Purpose?
Hypothetically, wisdom teeth serve the same purpose as any molar in the mouth: to chew and soften food to make it easier to digest. That being said, because of their location in the back of the mouth, many dentists consider these teeth superfluous in their duties and thus will recommend that you have them removed.
Wisdom teeth are considered a vestigial organ—that is, an organ of the body that is an evolutionary relic. In the distant past of our species, humanity’s diet involved much tougher foods that were harder to digest. Early humans had broader and more powerful jaws that were more similar to the other primates. This helped them chew and digest raw, uncooked food.
Nowadays, most people do not have any need or space for their wisdom teeth. As we developed softer diets and our jaws subsequently shrunk, the wisdom teeth went from a valuable tool to an unhelpful cause of dental overcrowding. This is why it has become such a standard procedure to have them removed, as it can prevent more serious dental issues from impacting these teeth in the future.
Common Problems of Wisdom Teeth
Wisdom teeth are located in the back of the mouth and, thus, are more difficult to maintain properly than the other teeth in the mouth. As such, they are prone to developing a variety of issues, including some of the following:
- Cysts
- Gum inflammation
- Pain
- Cavities
- Infection
If any of the above problems are left unchecked, they can easily spiral into much more significant issues that can require additional dental work and surgery. Many dentists will move to preemptively remove a patient’s wisdom teeth before they become a problem.
What Occurs During Wisdom Tooth Removal?
The amount of wisdom teeth that one has in one’s mouth can be inconsistent. Individuals can have anything between all four or none of them. Your dentist will perform an inspection of the mouth to determine how many you have, which will impact the amount that you have extracted.
Wisdom tooth extraction otherwise behaves like any other tooth extraction. You can expect the following procedural steps:
- Local anesthetic is applied to the target teeth and surrounding areas in the mouth. If all four wisdom teeth need to be removed, general anesthesia may be applied.
- The target teeth are extracted.
- The wounds in the mouth are cleaned.
- Gauze is applied to the wounds in the mouth.
After Your Extraction
Following your procedure, you may experience heavy swelling for some time. In addition, your dentist may ask you to set up a follow-up appointment to observe your recovery process. The common symptoms patients experience after a wisdom tooth extraction include:
- Bleeding
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Low energy levels
- Pain
Your dentist may recommend that you only eat certain foods that will not require too much energy to chew or digest. In addition, they may also recommend that you limit strenuous activity for a short period immediately following your extraction.
Make sure to closely follow any instructions given by your dentist. In addition, should you experience any undue amounts of swelling or pain beyond the expected period following your extraction, contact your dentist for additional advice.
The Top Dentist in Highland
East Highland Dental is dedicated to offering the residents of Highland and beyond safe, high-quality dental procedures. If you think you are due for wisdom teeth removal, contact us today to speak with our excellent dentist.