Most Canadians will have issues with their wisdom teeth. In fact, some estimates indicate that up to 85% of people will require removal of at least one at some point in their life. But if so many of us experience problems with our wisdom teeth, why do we even have them? And why exactly do they need to be removed so often?

The third molars in the very back of your mouth, more commonly known as your wisdom teeth, are the very last of your teeth to emerge – typically starting sometime between the ages of 15 to 25. By this time, the rest of your adult teeth have fully emerged, and there often isn’t enough room left in your mouth for any additional teeth, leading your wisdom teeth to become crooked, squished or otherwise misaligned. In some cases, your wisdom teeth won’t have room to emerge at all and will remain stuck under the gums (a problem known as impaction in the dental world).  

These misaligned or impacted teeth can cause a number of problems, including pain, pressure, infection and even damage to their neighbouring molars. Oftentimes, these symptoms will occur without any prior warning. Wisdom teeth can also be more challenging to keep clean, as brushing and flossing is more difficult toward the back of the mouth.

Symptoms caused by misaligned wisdom teeth tend to worsen as you age, and recovery time after removal increases as well, which leads to dentists often recommending removal of misaligned wisdom teeth as early as possible to avoid complications down the road. Many dental specialists will even recommend removing wisdom teeth that aren’t currently causing any issues, if they have the potential to cause problems due to placement or angulation.

Fortunately, wisdom tooth removal is very common and unlikely to cause long-term complications. Recovery after the procedure can be uncomfortable, but in most cases, pain can be easily managed by icing the area and taking over-the-counter medication like acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

If you’re experiencing any pain or discomfort with your teeth, don’t put it off – reach out to us today for a consultation using the orange Book Online button. Remember, our team of dental specialists are here to help you every step of the way.