Should You Have Your Wisdom Teeth Removed?
As human beings, there are certain parts of our body that are no longer as useful as they were in ancient times. Our spleen, for example, is a practically useless organ that may have once been more vital in the human body before it evolved.
When it comes to our teeth, we like to think they are all equally useful in chewing our food, as well as aiding our speech. However, your wisdom teeth, which are molars located in the very back of your jaw, are no longer viewed as essential by dentists.
Why do we have wisdom teeth?
Historians believe that the use of wisdom teeth in ancient human beings was to grind down foods that required a lot of strength and determination to chew. Nowadays, our modern cooking facilities and high-tech ways of producing food mean that we are not required to chew our food very much at all – but before any type of technology was invented, humans ate raw foods that were dense and difficult to chew.
Wisdom teeth may have once served a great purpose, but in today’s world, nobody needs their wisdom teeth at all!
Should you have your wisdom teeth removed?
It is not essential to have your wisdom teeth removed, unless you are advised to by your dentist. That being said, many people decide to preemptively have their wisdom teeth removed in case they cause problems further down the line.
How are wisdom teeth removed?
The procedure for removing wisdom teeth is not painful, because your dentist will administer a powerful local anaesthetic before the wisdom teeth extraction. However, it can take a few days, or even weeks, for your gums to heal after a wisdom tooth extraction. This isn’t a particularly complex or difficult procedure, but it is important to note that you may need to alter your diet and take painkillers in the days following the extraction.
How to tell if a wisdom tooth is causing problems
Your wisdom teeth may not cause you any issues at all. However, if you start experiencing any of the following symptoms, you could be experiencing issues with your wisdom teeth.
- A dull, constant ache in the back of your mouth or jaw.
- Sharp pain in the back of your mouth when you bite down on food or clench your jaw.
- Constant bad breath, no matter how much you brush.
- Inflammation of the gums or jaw around the wisdom tooth area.
- Excessive heat, like a fever, in the wisdom tooth area.
- Bleeding in the wisdom tooth area.
All these are symptoms of a damaged or infected wisdom tooth, which can lead to all sorts of health problems if it is not treated promptly by a qualified dentist. In the instance of wisdom teeth growing in the incorrect direction; becoming heavily infected; damaging your other teeth or causing you excessive pain; your dentist may recommend that you have your wisdom tooth or teeth removed altogether.
Final thoughts…
Although there is nothing wrong with having your wisdom teeth removed, it may not be necessary unless you are experiencing issues! Speak with your dentist for more advice about wisdom tooth extraction.
