This four-part article series addresses all the questions patients ask about wisdom teeth and the surgery required to remove these often-problematic molars.

1. Wilmington Dentists Answer Your FAQ about Wisdom Teeth, PART 1
This four-part article series addresses all the questions patients ask about wisdom teeth and
the surgery required to remove these often-problematic molars.
Sometime between the ages of 17 and 25, all sorts of things can start happening right at the back of
your mouth and none of them are pleasant. What’s probably happening is that your wisdom teeth –
also known as your third molars – are making their appearance! Unfortunately, however, the late
emergence of wisdom teeth often causes a variety of problems that can range from mild discomfort
to the formation of excruciating abscesses that need to be treated immediately.
Given how common the need for wisdom tooth surgery is, there are a lot of questions out there
about what is to be expected. And so, in this four-part article series, a Wilmington dentist will be
providing all the answers! Let’s get started…
FAQ: What are wisdom teeth?
Answer: “Your wisdom teeth are your third set of molars that typically emerge from the jawbone in
your early adulthood. You’ll feel them coming up right at the back of your mouth, behind your
second molars.”
FAQ: Why are wisdom teeth so frequently problematic?
Answer: “Much like your appendix, wisdom teeth are an evolutionary remnant from a time when
we had much larger and more robust jaws,” explains the dentist in Wilmington CA. “Over time,
however, our diets have changed quite dramatically and our jawbones have evolved as a result.
Instead of great big jaws and teeth, our skeletons have become slimmer and more gracile in
response to our softer, more processed diets.

2. “Our jaws have also become smaller, which leaves little space for our third set of molars. This is
precisely why their emergence tends to be problematic: simply because there is often insufficient
space in the jaws to accommodate them.”
FAQ: How will I know if my wisdom teeth are going to be a problem?
Answer: “You may start experiencing some of the discomforts and pain associated with impacted
wisdom teeth, which essentially means the emerging tooth is trapped or obstructed by the second
molars. Consequently, it begins pushing against the adjacent teeth and this can cause a great variety
of symptoms, including headaches, jaw stiffness, localized swelling of the gums at the back of the
mouth and even difficulty articulating your jaw,” explains the Wilmington dentist.
“Having said this, there really is no better way to know where you stand with regards to your
wisdom teeth than to go for regular scheduled appointments with your dentist and to have X-rays
taken. The X-rays will provide you and your dental healthcare professional with a clear picture of
what’s happening in your mouth and beneath the gum line so that the correct course of treatment
can be planned. Earlier intervention can be crucial in preventing errant wisdom teeth from
permanently damaging the adjacent teeth.”
FAQ: Why are they called “wisdom” teeth?
Answer: “It is thought that the name comes from the fact that these molars emerge much later on
than your other teeth; presumably at a time of your life when you’re wiser and more experienced,”
explains a dentist in Wilmington CA. “There’s not much more to it!”
Stay Tuned for Part 2
To read the answers to more of your FAQ about wisdom teeth, stay tuned for the second
installment of this four-part article series (coming next week).