{"id":2962,"date":"2021-05-22T03:37:15","date_gmt":"2021-05-21T17:37:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ksdm.com.au\/?p=2960"},"modified":"2022-01-18T23:36:03","modified_gmt":"2022-01-18T23:36:03","slug":"answered-10-questions-about-wisdom-teeth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ksdm.com.au\/dental\/answered-10-questions-about-wisdom-teeth\/","title":{"rendered":"Answered: 10 Questions About Wisdom Teeth"},"content":{"rendered":"

Your Wisdom Teeth Questions Answered<\/h1>\n

Has your dentist recommended wisdom teeth removal? If you have questions on the what, why, and hows of wisdom teeth removal, you\u2019re not alone.<\/p>\n

At King Street Dental, we get a lot of questions about wisdom teeth. So in this article, we aim to answer your most common questions and demystify all things wisdom teeth.<\/p>\n

10 Common Questions & Answers About Wisdom Teeth<\/h2>\n

Question 1: What Are Wisdom Teeth And What Makes Them So Wise Anyway?<\/h3>\n

Your wisdom teeth<\/a> are your third and last set of molars in the back of your mouth. It\u2019s believed our early ancestors used these teeth to help chew coarse foods like leaves and nuts.<\/p>\n

The name wisdom teeth stem from the period they tend to make their first appearance, usually around age 17-24, otherwise known as when we \u201cacquire wisdom\u201d (well, for some of us anyway!)<\/p>\n

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Question 2 – Does Everyone Need To Get Their Wisdom Teeth Removed?<\/h3>\n

Most people need their wisdom teeth removed, but not everyone. We usually have 4 wisdom teeth (two top and two bottom), but some only develop a few and others don\u2019t develop any at all!<\/p>\n

Your dentist may determine that your wisdom teeth can stay in your mouth safely and elect not to remove them. They closely monitor your wisdom teeth through regularly scheduled checkups<\/a> and reevaluate if they see any signs of trouble.<\/p>\n

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Question 3 – Shouldn\u2019t I Keep All My Teeth? Why Do Wisdom Teeth Need To Be Removed?<\/h3>\n

Most people don\u2019t have sufficient room in their mouth for wisdom teeth. When wisdom teeth push their way into an already crowded mouth, they can cause intense pain and damage to other teeth by putting pressure on them. They\u2019re also hard to reach and brush if they do erupt, thus are more susceptible to cavities, tooth decay, and gum infection.<\/p>\n

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Question 4 – What Does It Mean When I Hear About \u201cImpacted\u201d Wisdom Teeth?<\/h3>\n

A wisdom tooth that\u2019s impacted means there\u2019s not enough room for the tooth to erupt and break through the gum line. Without enough room to erupt, they may begin pushing sideways and damaging your neighbouring teeth, causing intense pain and irritation in the process.<\/p>\n

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Question 5 – How Does My Doctor Know It\u2019s Time For My Wisdom Teeth To Go?<\/h3>\n

An experienced dentist<\/a> uses years of training along with the help of x-rays to determine if and when it\u2019s time to remove your wisdom teeth. Throughout your teen years, they carefully monitor your situation and know if and when the time has come.<\/p>\n

There are several warning signs that may indicate it\u2019s time to have your wisdom teeth removed.<\/p>\n