Tupelo, MS - Dr. Richard Caron- "Your Dental Health" - Wisdom Teeth

The Wisdom teeth, or third molars, are the last teeth to come in. Usually they appear between the ages of 17 and 21, when you gain maturity, or wisdom. Not everyone's teeth develop the same way, but wisdom teeth are a common source of dental problems. Even if your wisdom teeth aren’t causing any pain or other complications, they may be affecting your oral health. The most common conditions are decay, infection, crowding, or damage to other teeth. Those next to the wisdom teeth are more prone to developing gum problems. Sometimes, wisdom teeth do not have enough room to grow normally. When that happens, your dentist may refer to them as impacted or crowded, and they may need to be removed. It's important to see your dentist regularly, to monitor the progress of your wisdom teeth as they develop, and to take corrective action if necessary.