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Does Everyone Have Wisdom Teeth?

May 12, 2022
Cartoon stating that snails have over 25,000 teeth.

Although none of us have 25,000 teeth like snails, some of us have more teeth than others. This is because of the somewhat mysterious wisdom teeth. They lurk in the back of your mouth as your permanent teeth come in, but typically don’t emerge until between the ages of 17-21. While many people have four wisdom teeth, some have fewer. And some people don’t have any wisdom teeth at all! Here's a little more information about wisdom teeth and why we have them.

Why Are Some People Born Without Wisdom Teeth?

For many of our patients at North Richland Hills Dentistry, wisdom teeth require surgical removal before they cause problems with alignment or crowding. However, some patients don’t need wisdom teeth surgery because their jaws are large enough to accommodate wisdom teeth. Why is it that some people never develop wisdom teeth at all? Partly due to genetics and partly because our bodies have evolved away from needing them.

Why Were Wisdom Teeth Necessary in the Past?

In the past, our ancestors had very different diets. They foraged for foods that were harder to eat, like leaves, bark and tough meats. To chew, they relied on their powerful wisdom teeth to grind down the tougher materials. Now that our diets have changed, that extra grinding power is no longer necessary.

Is Wisdom Tooth Surgery Painful?

Wisdom tooth surgery is a preventive measure that can actually save you pain in the long run. After all, we only remove wisdom teeth when we’re worried that they’ll put your oral health at risk. Removing wisdom teeth helps avoid crowding issues, misalignment, or painful impaction. This happens when wisdom teeth become trapped in your gums or jawbone as they try to emerge. During a wisdom tooth extraction you shouldn’t feel any pain because the area will be numb. After surgery, you may experience some swelling and discomfort for a few days. If you carefully follow our aftercare instructions, you’ll be back to normal after about a week.

Wisdom Teeth Removal in North Richland Hills

Fortunately, if you need your wisdom teeth removed, there's no need to go to an oral surgeon. We handle wisdom teeth removal right here at North Richland Hills Dentistry. When you visit us for your regular exam every six months, we'll be able to monitor your wisdom teeth. Dr. Desai will know if they need to be removed before they cause you any trouble. To ask our team any questions about wisdom teeth or to schedule your next appointment, call us today!

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Image by Authority Dental under CC 2.0

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