Your third and final set of molars, or your wisdom teeth, typically emerge in the late teens to early twenties. For many, these late arrivals can become a real problem, even in an otherwise healthy mouth. Our mouths often simply don’t have enough room to accommodate them, and they can cause a lot of issues. So, why do we even have them, and what can you do about it?

When you or your child are growing up, Santa Rosa Oral Surgery is here to look out for their smile. Tracking the development of wisdom teeth is a crucial part of maintaining a healthy mouth, so it’s wise to have a plan. When wisdom teeth grow improperly, it can lead to misaligned teeth, damage to other teeth, and more. Take the time to talk with a trusted oral surgeon in your area about what the next steps are. Schedule an appointment to talk about your third molars today.

Wisdom teeth can cause serious problems if ignored. Keep an eye on your smile with Santa Rosa Oral Surgery.

Why Do We Even Have Wisdom Teeth?

While a patient is growing into their smile, it’s important to keep an eye on how it’s coming along. A patient’s third and final set of molars can cause serious damage if left unchecked, which is why dentists make sure to take X-rays for adolescents. But if wisdom teeth pose so many problems for our smiles, why do we have them at all? It seems like something that should have been dealt with through evolution, right?

The simple answer is that our teeth haven’t had a chance to catch up with the rest of our bodies. As humans evolved and began to eat cooked foods, we needed less chewing power, and our faces became narrower. This change left very little room for these final teeth to come in properly.

When to Consider Wisdom Teeth Extraction

Sometimes, removing wisdom teeth is necessary to keep a smile safe and healthy. These molars can grow in at odd angles, pushing other teeth out of the way. When this happens, it can affect the alignment of your teeth, and if you’ve worked hard to straighten your smile through braces or other orthodontics, wisdom teeth can completely undo that effort.

So, if your dentist recommends the extraction of some or all of your wisdom teeth, give our office a call. We are here to help you continue your journey to a healthy smile.

Schedule a Consultation

When wisdom teeth start to emerge, it’s essential to keep an eye on their growth. To find out more about our practice or to schedule a time to talk, call Santa Rosa Oral Surgery at (707) 545-4625 today.