In the 17th century, they were called “teeth of wisdom.” Since the 19th century, we’ve been calling them “wisdom teeth.” Whatever name you choose, we are talking about the set of third molars that appear in your mouth — two on the top and two on the bottom — typically between the ages of 17 and 25. Rest assured, however, that wisdom teeth do not add to or subtract from your level of wisdom. Many linguists believe they are called wisdom teeth simply because they appear around the same time a person matures into adulthood.
Although it is common to remove the wisdom teeth, it is important to ask if and when the procedure is necessary. Some parents have their children’s wisdom teeth removed because it’s what their parents did for them, somewhat akin to a tradition. But we’re talking about oral health here — tradition should not decide whether or not you extract any tooth. There needs to be a good reason to remove the wisdom teeth.
When to Keep Your Wisdom Teeth
The main reason to remove wisdom teeth depends on the room in your mouth. Some individuals do not have enough room along their jawline to accommodate these teeth. Others might have room for one or two. A rare few never develop a set of third molars. Either way, the wisdom teeth illustrate the need for regular checkups with the Yuba City Dentistry Group. Using our experience with modern techniques and equipment, we keep close watch on your third molars, even before they erupt. We can determine in advance how much room you have, and therefore how many wisdom teeth can stay.
If they need to go, it’s better to remove your wisdom teeth during adolescence, before they have strong roots. Also, younger patients typically heal faster after oral surgery. If they have already come in but are causing issues, we can still resolve the problems for you. And if your wisdom teeth come in without any complications, then keep them there — more teeth mean more chewing power!
The goal is to make sure your teeth stay intact and functional. If they give you pain or are crowded to the point of causing damage, we need to address the issue, even if that means removing a few for the sake of your oral health. If you have any questions about your wisdom teeth or the extraction process, please give us a call or schedule an appointment online. We have plenty of wisdom to help you manage your teeth!
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