Third molars, informally referred to as wisdom teeth, are the last set of teeth to erupt from the jawline. An evolutionary hangover from a time when coarse foods and poor hygiene resulted in extensive tooth loss for people by their late teens and early twenties, modern diets and hygiene routines mean patients typically keep their healthy, natural teeth well past their early twenties making a third set of molars unnecessary. Approximately 85% of people need to have their wisdom teeth extracted, and it is the most common type of oral surgery performed in most dental offices. Patients have wisdom teeth removed due to crowding that may cause other teeth to shift, and impaction, the inability of a tooth to erupt from the gum line. While this procedure typically presents minimal risk for patients, there are a few potential oral health concerns directly related to wisdom tooth extraction, and knowing the warning signs and symptoms of each is the best way to ensure your recovery period is quick and comfortable.
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