Should I have my wisdom teeth removed?

Research has found that around 53% of people have at least one wisdom tooth. But what are they, and when do they become problematic?

Wisdom teeth are defined as the third set of molars that are located at the back of the mouth, typically breaking through the gums in a person’s late teens or even early twenties.

The name ‘wisdom’ was coined simply because they arrive later in life when people’s mouths have matured.

While it is not always important to remove wisdom teeth, they can create future oral complications, such as gum disease or tooth decay.

The risk of health issues rises with impacted wisdom teeth, which are inevitably more difficult to clean, given their greater inaccessibility at the back of the mouth. Data indicates that around 10% of people experience at least one impacted wisdom tooth, trapped within the gums or jawbone, while 80% of young people experience a wisdom tooth that hasn’t yet broken through.

The primary health risks for people with wisdom teeth include damaged neighbouring teeth, the gum disease periodontitis, and tooth decay where cleaning becomes more tricky.

While wisdom tooth surgery wouldn’t be necessary if these teeth can grow and be reliably cleaned effectively, dentists do advise getting them removed as a precautionary measure. Failure to do may, in some instances, lead to oral bacteria passing through the body, infecting vital organs such as the heart or kidney.

If you are considering a wisdom tooth removal in Chester, contact our expert team at Art of Dental Care today to set up an appointment.