Wisdom teeth are the last set of molars to emerge and are located in the very back part of the mouth. They typically erupt between the ages of 14-30, although some people never get their wisdom teeth. For many people, wisdom teeth come in properly and cause no problems at all. There are cases however, where problems occur and intervention is necessary to avoid future complications. If left untreated, problematic wisdom teeth can lead to significant issues such as pain, tooth decay, gum disease and occlusion problems.
Problems with your wisdom teeth can be due to several reasons, including a lack of room in the back of the mouth for wisdom teeth to erupt properly, thereby disrupting their growth. It is also possible for wisdom teeth to erupt only partially through the gums, resulting in crowding issues with the surrounding teeth, gum infections, cavities and/or severe pain. Wisdom teeth may also grow in unusual directions, causing complications like crowding and damage to adjacent second molars. Another serious complication can occur when wisdom teeth do not have enough space to erupt in the mouth and they become stuck in the gums, unable to emerge. When this happens, it means that your wisdom teeth have become impacted. Wisdom teeth that are impacted in the jaw can provide a fertile ground for bacteria to grow at the opening of the mouth, leading to gum infection that can cause significant discomfort, pain, swelling and illness. Fortunately, your dentist will often be able to foresee future concerns and will recommend the removal of your wisdom teeth before any problems arise, allowing you to avoid expensive surgical procedures later on.