Wisdom teeth (third molars) - are the last set of back teeth to emerge into the mouth. Some people have four (two top and two bottom) while other people have none. They usually emerge into the mouth at 18-25 years.

Things to know:

1. Why do I have Wisdom Teeth?

There are many theories as to why. What we know is that human diets and lifestyles have changed and so have the processes for making food. Diets are much easier to chew and have become softer. The human jaw appears to have become smaller with time. However, our genetics are still designed for the larger jaw with many jaws no longer have the room for wisdom teeth. 

Wisdom teeth often become impacted meaning that the wisdom teeth fail to emerge properly into the mouth rather become trapped with soft gum tissue, by another tooth or bone. This can lead to inflammation, infection or pathology to develop (cyst growth). 

2. When do wisdom teeth cause problems?

Wisdom teeth emerge into the mouth about the age of 18-25 years when most problems start to occur. 

Some of the common issues are:

1. Impaction - wisdom teeth become trapped within the jaw and fail to emerge into the mouth through bone or gum. The reason is not always clear and wisdom teeth can change direction sometimes over a 12 month period from a normal vertical pathway to horizontal. This can lead to bacteria tracking to the un-erupted tooth and leading to inflammation and infection (pain).

2. Crowding - wisdom teeth can cause crowding and misalignment of teeth. This is contentious. However, back teeth appear to tilt and/or over erupt mis-aligning to create space for wisdom teeth. This can lead to increased plaque accumulation and decay risk as well as periodontal pocketing that can contribute to gum disease around adjacent teeth. 

3. Discomfort - wisdom teeth that are impacted can allow food and bacteria to be trapped leading to inflammation and infection causing soreness on opening the jaw wide, facial swelling and in extreme situations narrowing of the airway. Should someone feel like they cannot open there jaw and/or have difficulty breathing, swallowing or eating then they should immediate see their nearest emergency department at local hospital as this can be deadly.

4. Infections - wisdom teeth are difficult to clean and debride. This leads to a build up of bacteria around the area causing gum disease with time and infections called periocronitis. 

5. Pathology - wisdom teeth that do not emerge normally into the mouth have a skin around the crown (top of tooth). This can develop into pathology in time and grow to cause a tumor/cyst to develop. 

6. Decay - wisdom teeth can be difficult to clean effectively. With plaque accumulation (bacteria) there is a higher risk of decay in the wisdom tooth or adjacent teeth that may be poorly positioned to the tooth leading to the potential need for more complex dental treatment or premature loss.

7. Damage to adjacent teeth - wisdom teeth can be impacted partially below the gum and can lead to food trapage with the tooth in front. This can lead to decay in adjacent teeth or autoimmune resorption. This can lead to premature loss of teeth. 

For more information see FAQs