Wisdom Teeth Myths & Facts

Of all the teeth in a person’s mouth, the wisdom teeth- or third molars - tend to be the most shrouded in misinformation and myth, says Dentistry in Streetsville in Mississauga. So, to set the record straight, what follows are some facts about wisdom teeth.

Molars are the posterior teeth in your mouth; their function is to grind food when chewing. Wisdom teeth are positioned furthest to the rear in the back of the mouth. They’re called “wisdom teeth” because they are the last to appear in the mouth in human dentition - and, presumably, this means that by the time they grow in, a person has acquired wisdom. The appearance of wisdom teeth will vary depending on the individual, but they will typically appear between the ages of 1 7 and 21.

It is true that problems with wisdom teeth are common. Frequently, impacted wisdom teeth cause gum disease because a third molar is striking, cramming or overcrowding another structure in the mouth, such as an adjacent tooth, or the gums or other important soft tissues in the mouth, or possibly even nerves and blood vessels.

What is not true is that if wisdom teeth are not removed, they are certain to become impacted and will cause crowding for the other teeth. The fact is that some people do not experience problems with their wisdom teeth; in these cases, the wisdom teeth grow in properly as healthy teeth.

Additionally, one myth that needs to be straightened out is that it is not possible to definitively predict how or when wisdom teeth will erupt (grow in). The truth is that we monitor the growth and development of your wisdom teeth through regular checkups and dental X-rays to treat problems before they worsen. Furthermore, it is also not true that pain is the main symptom of having an impacted wisdom tooth. In fact, many times an impacted wisdom tooth does not cause pain at all.

If you feel you may be experiencing problems with your wisdom teeth, or have questions, or if you have young adults in your family whose wisdom teeth are growing in, make an appointment with Dentistry in Streetsville to evaluate and monitor the situation. Our clinic offers a full range of the most modern dental services to address all functions of the teeth, including wisdom tooth removal.

Contact us at Dentistry in Streetsville by calling 905-821-8221 or emailing reception@dentistryinstreetsville.com. Dentistry in Streetsville is located at 100 Queen Street South, Suite 101, in Mississauga. Also, visit us on Facebook and Instagram at DentistryInStreetsville.