Wisdom Teeth: Are You Really Wiser or Not?
Since the 17th century, "third molar" teeth have been referred to as the "teeth of wisdom," and since the 19th century, they've been known as "wisdom teeth.
" However, the modification of a preposition does not mean we are any wiser.
It is thought that because the third molars usually appear far later than the other teeth, normally between 17 and 25 years old, a person is suppose to magically mature into adulthood and appear "wiser" than their younger years.
Where Do Wisdom Teeth Begin? Children's teeth begin developing in the womb, at about six weeks of age.
After birth, the next phase is when the tooth protrudes through the gum, and afterwards loss of the primary baby teeth begin.
Basically, all humans start off on the same footing, or teething rather, and from infancy to our early twenties we are expected to develop complete wisdom due to an incredibly mature bite.
Many would beg to differ, but recently science has added some credibility to the suggestion that third molars do undeniably appear when an individual is wiser, or, vice-versa.
Current studies have confirmed that the brain continues to develop straight through adolescence; which in many parent's opinion is up for debate.
Moreover, the majority of researchers believe that brain maturity does not reach adulthood until the age of 25.
Do not forget the operative word here is "believe.
" This is certainly a bit of wishful thinking.
The majority of 25 year old's could give a hoot about a wisdom tooth, and most have no idea of what a molar is, no less a third.
How Do You Know If You Have Wisdom Teeth? The answer is obvious.
You know you have wisdom teeth because you are sensible, prudent, judicious, and clever.
Moreover, it is really ashamed that all of those wonderful characteristics will have to disappear once your wisdom teeth are pulled.
Ouch! Anyhow, dentists report that wisdom teeth present potential problems when they are uneven.
They can be positioned horizontally, angled in the direction of or away from the second molars and can be slanted inward or outward.
In addition, dentists may take an occasional X-ray to examine the third molars position.
An oral surgeon could be called for further tests, and this is when things can get ugly.
Many individuals think that as long as there is no pain there is no need to be concerned about their developing wisdom, or "wisdom teeth.
" Conversely, pain free does not mean problem free.
In fact, according to the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons and the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Foundation, wisdom teeth that appear trouble-free may in fact be vulnerable to disease.
Ultimately, no matter which way you look at it, your new-found wisdom is bound to cause you trouble.
Wisdom teeth that have come in completely and are useful, with no cavities, free of pain, in a sanitary environment with fit gum tissue, and disease free, may not need to be removed.
However, you are still not off-the-hook.
Who said acquiring wisdom was easy? You are still required to have a regular professional cleaning, along with annual check-ups and intermittent radio-graphs to check for any modifications.
What Happens When a Wisdom Tooth Needs to Go? If a wisdom tooth has to be pulled, your dentist or oral surgeon will extract the tooth depending on its position.
Prior to surgery, your oral surgeon will talk about the extraction procedure and tell you what to expect, including how much lower your IQ will be after the procedure is over.
Okay, the last part of that sentence is not true.
However, either a local anesthesia, an intravenous sedation or general anesthesia will be administered by your oral surgeon.
A wisdom tooth that is completely protruding out of the gum can be pulled easily.
However, a wisdom tooth that is underneath the gums and entrenched in the jawbone will require complicated surgery by an oral surgeon.
It is akin to pulling out all of those stubborn personality traits that may have gotten you into the dentist chair in the first place.
Following surgery, swelling and mild discomfort may occur.
Cold compresses will assist in decreasing any swelling including any medication prescribed by your surgeon.
If you decide to keep your wisdom teeth, be sure to clean and floss them well, particularly the molars, and be thankful that you were wise enough to keep them, for now.
" However, the modification of a preposition does not mean we are any wiser.
It is thought that because the third molars usually appear far later than the other teeth, normally between 17 and 25 years old, a person is suppose to magically mature into adulthood and appear "wiser" than their younger years.
Where Do Wisdom Teeth Begin? Children's teeth begin developing in the womb, at about six weeks of age.
After birth, the next phase is when the tooth protrudes through the gum, and afterwards loss of the primary baby teeth begin.
Basically, all humans start off on the same footing, or teething rather, and from infancy to our early twenties we are expected to develop complete wisdom due to an incredibly mature bite.
Many would beg to differ, but recently science has added some credibility to the suggestion that third molars do undeniably appear when an individual is wiser, or, vice-versa.
Current studies have confirmed that the brain continues to develop straight through adolescence; which in many parent's opinion is up for debate.
Moreover, the majority of researchers believe that brain maturity does not reach adulthood until the age of 25.
Do not forget the operative word here is "believe.
" This is certainly a bit of wishful thinking.
The majority of 25 year old's could give a hoot about a wisdom tooth, and most have no idea of what a molar is, no less a third.
How Do You Know If You Have Wisdom Teeth? The answer is obvious.
You know you have wisdom teeth because you are sensible, prudent, judicious, and clever.
Moreover, it is really ashamed that all of those wonderful characteristics will have to disappear once your wisdom teeth are pulled.
Ouch! Anyhow, dentists report that wisdom teeth present potential problems when they are uneven.
They can be positioned horizontally, angled in the direction of or away from the second molars and can be slanted inward or outward.
In addition, dentists may take an occasional X-ray to examine the third molars position.
An oral surgeon could be called for further tests, and this is when things can get ugly.
Many individuals think that as long as there is no pain there is no need to be concerned about their developing wisdom, or "wisdom teeth.
" Conversely, pain free does not mean problem free.
In fact, according to the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons and the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Foundation, wisdom teeth that appear trouble-free may in fact be vulnerable to disease.
Ultimately, no matter which way you look at it, your new-found wisdom is bound to cause you trouble.
Wisdom teeth that have come in completely and are useful, with no cavities, free of pain, in a sanitary environment with fit gum tissue, and disease free, may not need to be removed.
However, you are still not off-the-hook.
Who said acquiring wisdom was easy? You are still required to have a regular professional cleaning, along with annual check-ups and intermittent radio-graphs to check for any modifications.
What Happens When a Wisdom Tooth Needs to Go? If a wisdom tooth has to be pulled, your dentist or oral surgeon will extract the tooth depending on its position.
Prior to surgery, your oral surgeon will talk about the extraction procedure and tell you what to expect, including how much lower your IQ will be after the procedure is over.
Okay, the last part of that sentence is not true.
However, either a local anesthesia, an intravenous sedation or general anesthesia will be administered by your oral surgeon.
A wisdom tooth that is completely protruding out of the gum can be pulled easily.
However, a wisdom tooth that is underneath the gums and entrenched in the jawbone will require complicated surgery by an oral surgeon.
It is akin to pulling out all of those stubborn personality traits that may have gotten you into the dentist chair in the first place.
Following surgery, swelling and mild discomfort may occur.
Cold compresses will assist in decreasing any swelling including any medication prescribed by your surgeon.
If you decide to keep your wisdom teeth, be sure to clean and floss them well, particularly the molars, and be thankful that you were wise enough to keep them, for now.
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