Third molars or most commonly known as wisdom teeth, usually develop between the ages of 15-25 and are the last sets of teeth to grow in.

Most often than not, wisdom teeth are extracted once they have fully grown in as a preventative measure to reduce the risk of overcrowding and possible infections. Aside from preventive measures, there are many different reasons why your NE Calgary Dentist might recommend wisdom tooth removal. Get to know the signs that will tell whether or not you need to get your wisdom teeth extracted.

First, what is Wisdom Teeth?

Wisdom teeth are molars that usually erupt at the very back of the mouth. Wisdom teeth are the last set of teeth to grow in. They are usually fully formed by the late teen or early adult years. They are large and take up plenty of space along the jaw bone. Most patients have four wisdom teeth. However, some patients do not have wisdom teeth at all, and they never grow in. According to research, your lineage or genetic factors like jaw size may determine the number of wisdom teeth that you have.

If they can cause trouble, why do we have Wisdom Teeth?

At first glance, it may seem that our wisdom teeth are more harmful than helpful as they can cause pain, infection and overcrowding in the mouth. However, studies show they were beneficial to our human ancestors. 

Like the appendix, we can consider wisdom teeth as vestigial parts of the human body, which means they once served a purpose. In ancient times, our human ancestors had more pronounced jawbones that can accommodate additional molars. These third molars are helpful when it comes to chewing tough foods such as meat and rough plant fibres. However, due to evolution, we don’t really need those third molars anymore.

Signs You Need To Have Your Wisdom Teeth Removed

Some patients opt to remove their wisdom teeth as a preventative measure. Some prefer to not remove them at first thus risking the possibility of an infection and other dental issues to happen. 

So, here are some symptoms to look out for that may tell you if you need to have your wisdom teeth removed: 

1. Redness and Swelling
2. Persistent Aching Pain
3. Bleeding Gums
4. Crowded Teeth
5. Partial Eruption
6. Impacted Wisdom Teeth
7. Cavities

These symptoms can be signs that you need to have your wisdom teeth extracted. Still, it is best to visit your NE Calgary Dentist for the best option for your case. 

Do Wisdom Teeth Always Need to be Removed?

We don’t always need to remove wisdom teeth. In some cases, wisdom teeth grow normally and have room to erupt fully. If these teeth are healthy and do not affect the neighbouring teeth, there is little chance that you need to go through wisdom teeth removal. There are times, however, where tooth extraction is necessary. 

Your NE Calgary Dentist will suggest wisdom tooth removal with your best interests in mind. Wisdom tooth removal is most often a preventive measure. Contact us for a consultation or call 587-356-0777 to learn more about wisdom tooth removal in NE, Calgary.