You might’ve heard stories about wisdom teeth causing trouble for people. They can sometimes come in crooked or impacted, which isn’t the most comfortable experience. Most patients often have these third molars removed to find relief or avoid any potential problems. But did you know not everyone has them? Keep reading to learn more about how some may not be born with them.
Why Might Someone Be Missing Their Wisdom Teeth?
It’s believed that anywhere from 5 to 37 percent of people are missing one or more of their third molars, according to the Dental Research Journal. However, the exact reason is unknown. It can be due to genetics, so if your parents don’t have them, then you might not either. There may be other factors that play a role, such as your diet, environment, and chewing function.
The good news is that missing wisdom teeth isn’t necessarily a problem. There’s often not enough room for them, so you may experience overcrowding if all four come in. They might’ve benefited your ancestors with their rougher diets, but you are likely fine without them.
That being said, if you don’t see your third molars, that doesn’t always mean you don’t have them. They may be impacted, where they can’t erupt fully past the gumline. For many, they come in at an odd angle and can cause pain. Your dentist can take an X-ray to see if you have them and offer advice on whether they’ll cause trouble for you.
Would I Need to Get My Wisdom Teeth Removed?
If you do have wisdom teeth, then you may now wonder if you should get them removed. They can erupt without causing any problems, but here’s how you can tell if they are:
- You have discomfort around your tooth. It may start mild and continue to worsen, possibly even leading to difficulty eating and speaking.
- Your gums swell and are red around them.
- Your nearby teeth start shifting, causing misalignment.
You might also be at a higher risk of cavities and oral infections, as it can be a bit harder to clean back there in your mouth. While you may be a bit envious of people who don’t have third molars, your dentist can help you out! They can determine whether they’ll be trouble and take steps to prevent discomfort or give you relief from it!
About the Practice
At Arts Family Dentistry of Dallas, you benefit from the compassionate leadership of Dr. Shayan Azimi and Dr. Jay Patel. We are proud to offer a wide range of treatments, including wisdom teeth removal. If these molars are causing you discomfort, we even offer same-day emergency appointments to get you the pain-free smile that you deserve. If you want to learn whether you’d benefit from extracting them, schedule an appointment or call our office at (469) 981-1700.