When do we get them? What are they for?
Wisdom teeth generally erupt between the ages of 16 and 20. They start forming around the age of 10.
Due to the modern environment where we eat more refined foods, we suffer from allergies resulting breathing through the mouth rather than the nose, our jaws do not develop to their full genetical potential resulting in crooked teeth and sometimes impacted teeth. The most common teeth that are impacted, blocked by other teeth around them are the wisdom teeth.
These teeth may be dormant and generally do not cause any problems. However, at other times, cysts form around these teeth which can damage the bone and teeth around them. Sometimes the wisdom teeth are positioned in such a way that food gets trapped between them and the teeth in the front leading to decay.
If problems are perceived by your dentist then he would suggest removal of the wisdom teeth before they cause major problems.
Fact: Wisdom teeth do not cause crooked teeth.
It is debatable when we should have the teeth taken out – when we are younger (when we have the ability to heal faster and our bones are less liable to fracture) or when we are older (wait to see if the impacted wisdom teeth are going to cause any problems. The disadvantage of this is that the bones generally are relatively less stronger and liable to fracture and healing is slightly slower).
About the author
Dr Manish Shah - B.D.S. Hons. (Syd.) M.B.B.S. (Syd.)
Dr. Manish Shah is dually qualified in Dentistry and Medicine. He received his dental degree at Sydney University in 1998 and completed his medical degree in 2006 also at Sydney University. He currently practices Cosmetic and Reconstructive Dentistry in Sydney and has special interests in head and neck pain, implant dentistry and orthodontics.
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