Many people tell horror stories about how they suffered with their wisdom teeth to the point that many people who don’t otherwise have dental anxiety are afraid of getting their wisdom teeth. Luckily, Dr. Harry W. McCool of Lilburn, GA is here to help relieve some of that anxiety by helping you get wise about your wisdom teeth.
1. They Have A Formal Name
Wisdom teeth usually begin emerging between the ages of 17-25, which is why they’re referred to as “wisdom” teeth. It is believed they’re named this because this time of life is when people start leaving the home in search of wisdom.
They are clinically referred to as “third molars” because they are structurally very similar to the first two sets of molars that develop in childhood and adolescence. You might remember a little bit of discomfort in middle school when your second set of molars was growing in. The process involved in the third set of molars is the same, but this time there’s less room for them to move around.
2. Not Everyone Has Them
There are some lucky individuals who were born without wisdom teeth! Your dentist will be able to see them on a dental X-ray, and if there’s no sign of them below the gum line by your mid-twenties, you might never get them at all. The X-ray may also be able to help your dentist predict how they will erupt.
In some cases, however, the wisdom teeth can erupt many years beyond young adulthood. Next time you visit your dentist, ask if your wisdom teeth are still waiting to come out or if you could have been born without them. You may be surprised!
3. They Don’t Always Come In At the Same Time
Wisdom teeth don’t always erupt at the same time. In fact, all four may erupt together, but it’s also possible for the top row to erupt before the bottom, or vice versa, or even for one set to come in while the other doesn’t!
Not all four will definitely cause problems, either. You may have heard stories about wisdom teeth not having enough room to maneuver in the back of the mouth and becoming impacted, but this isn’t characteristic of all wisdom teeth cases.
The best thing to do if you’re concerned about your wisdom teeth is to consult with Dr. McCool at his office in Lilburn, where we’ll discuss your concerns and recommend the most conservative treatment possible. Call (770) 450-4407 or schedule an appointment online today!