Risks of Impacted Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth earn their name because they are the third set of molars to erupt around the ages of 17-22. When wisdom teeth are impacted, this means that they don’t have enough room to emerge or develop normally. Impacted wisdom teeth can result in pain, damage to the surrounding teeth, and other dental problems, such as infection. This is why our doctors at Garrison Family Dentistry recommend extraction, to prevent future problems.

Impacted wisdom teeth may leave a patient with swollen and tender gums, jaw pain, bad breath, or difficulty opening the mouth. Some patients, however, may experience no symptoms at all. Impacted wisdom teeth will also cause problems in the mouth, such as cysts, decay, or periodontal disease. If your wisdom teeth are still intact, it’s best to schedule a consultation with one of our doctors to discuss extraction before any of these symptoms develop.  

If you have questions or concerns regarding wisdom teeth extractions, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.garrisondentistry.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Garrison Family Dentistry here in Smithville, MO, call 816-532-8778.

Why Do We Have Wisdom Teeth if They Usually Get Pulled Out?

Having wisdom teeth pulled can often make for a funny video afterwards. (Recently, two brothers convinced their sister that there was a zombie apocalypse happening). While this is all fun, it may leave you wondering why we even have wisdom teeth if so many of us need them pulled out. At Garrison Family Dentistry in Smithville, MO, we are going to explain why it’s thought we have them!

Well to start, we have teeth so we can chew our food properly. These days, we have a wide variety of foods, able to be prepared in all sorts of ways. Around 20,000 years ago, humans ate tougher foods in their diet, like nuts, roots, and raw meat. It is thought that wisdom teeth were needed to help them chew through their food better. In current times, we cook a lot of our meat; making it easier to chew through. We also cook much of our veggies, fruits, and grains!

Wisdom teeth have just become less and less necessary. In addition, human jaws and facial structures have actually gotten smaller since then. So these days, those unneeded wisdom teeth often do not even fit. If left alone, they can cause major pain, infection, and damage to other teeth. An interesting fact to know, though, is that there are some lucky people being born without wisdom teeth!

If you suspect your wisdom teeth are growing in, come in for an evaluation. To schedule an appointment in our Smithville, MO office, call us at (816) 532-8778 or visit our website, www.garrisondentistry.com.