Wisdom Teeth Can Become A Real Problem

If you’re in your later adolescent years or into your early twenties, then it’s important to keep up with your biannual checkups. Not just because they are a good idea for everyone, but also because you have an additional oral health concern to track during this time. This is the period when a patient’s third set of molars develop, and without keeping an eye on them, you could allow them to do some real damage.

Our team at MMC Dental in Houston, TX is here to help you maintain your smile throughout your life. We understand the value of having an intact, quality set of teeth, and our office knows that wisdom teeth can pose some serious problems if left alone. These evolutionary holdovers are simply too much for many mouths, and that means crowding that can cause alignment issues and enamel damage. So, if you’re ready to talk about your third molars, see about imaging to find out your status.

During young adulthood, keep an eye on your wisdom teeth. Schedule your next appointment at MMC Dental.

Why Do We Have Wisdom Teeth, Anyway?

It’s not unsurprising that this is often one of the first questions that patients or parents have, and it’s an understandable one. So, let’s dive into that: why do we have an additional set of molars if we do not need them?

The answer to this question lies in evolutionary biology. Evolution takes a very long time to occur, and sometimes, we’re stuck in the middle of a shift. When early man ate raw meat, these individuals needed much more jaw power to be able to chew. Now, we don’t need that much strength, and instead, we’ve developed slimmer faces. Unfortunately, that does not leave a lot of room for your third and final set of molars.

When Wisdom Teeth Need To Go

For some patients, the development of wisdom teeth can be allowed to happen naturally. For a larger share of the population, however, an extraction of some or all of these teeth is necessary to maintain a healthy mouth. Wisdom teeth can push existing teeth out of position, which can undo a teen’s hard orthodontic work. This situation can also cause enamel damage, sometimes even cracking teeth. By working with your dentist during your later teen years and into your twenties, you have the opportunity to keep an eye on your wisdom teeth development.

Schedule Your Next Visit At MMC Dental

If you’re thinking about skipping your dental checkups as a teen or young professional, think again. Find out more about wisdom tooth extraction by calling MMC Dental in Houston, TX today at 713-926-8896.