The Good
Wisdom teeth are your third molars or teeth that are furthest back in your mouth that usually come in during the late teens or early 20s. They can provide an additional biting surface if they erupt in the proper orientation. However more often than not, these teeth come in misaligned and can ultimately cause damage to neighboring teeth if not removed.
Adults will have 32 teeth if they have all of their wisdom teeth and 28 when they are not there. Often times, people may only have 1 or 2 wisdom teeth and often don’t have all 4.
The Bad
Being the last teeth in the mouth to develop and grow into the mouth, wisdom teeth often do not have enough space to make their way into the oral cavity. They can come in at different angles and directions due to the limited space available. As these teeth “grow” into the mouth, they can rub against the adjacent teeth and cause damage to the root or bone loss in that area.
The Ugly
Given how far back these teeth can be, wisdom teeth are difficult to keep clean and can often harbor bad bacteria and plaque leading to inflammation of the gums and periodontal disease.
Getting a consultation with your periodontist or dentist can help you better understand your treatment options with your wisdom teeth. Call your friendly periodontists in Dallas, Keller, and Irving at PerioLife to discuss the best treatment options for your oral health!