Wisdom teeth (your third molars) are the last teeth to come in‑and the ones least needed for good oral health. They may not erupt, or emerge from your gums, until your late teens or early twenties if they erupt at all. Most often, they're impacted, or trapped in the jawbone and gums, usually because there's not enough room for them in your mouth. Our jaws are smaller than those of early humans, who needed large jaws and more teeth for their tougher diet. We don't need that extra chewing power anymore. In fact, wisdom teeth often do more harm than good ' and your dentist may recommend removing them.

Most people have four wisdom teeth, one in each comer of the mouth, but each tooth can be at a different stage of eruption and position of impaction. Since wisdom teeth develop over a period of many years, harmful changes in your mouth may be gradual. But these changes could result in sudden and severe pain. If you learn the different ways wisdom teeth can develop, you'll be better able to understand why you may need to have them removed.

Are your wisdom teeth threatening the health of your mouth? An evaluation by your dentist can answer this question. Your dentist will take your dental and medical history, examine your teeth, and take x‑rays to assess the health of your teeth. If your evaluation pinpoints a problem with your wisdom teeth, your dentist may recommend surgery to remove your wisdom teeth and eliminate your symptoms. To protect your mouth from future problems, your dentist may recommend early removal of your wisdom teeth.

Your wisdom tooth surgery may be done in your dentist's or oral surgeon's office, an outpatient surgical center or, occasionally, in a hospital. The surgical method depends on whether your wisdom teeth are erupted or impacted and how deep the roots are. To help the surgery go smoothly, follow your dentist's or oral surgeon's instructions on how to prepare for surgery.

After surgery, the openings left when your wisdom teeth were removed now need to heal and eventually close. You can promote faster healing and avoid complications by following your dentist's or oral surgeon's care instructions. You may experience some temporary discomfort in your mouth as it heals, but you can take steps to be more comfortable.

0nce your wisdom teeth have been removed, you can take steps to keep your mouth healthy. Since your dentist is an expert in diagnosing and treating tooth problems, make sure you get regular checkups. Floss and brush daily to ward off tooth decay and gum disease. And avoid decay‑causing sweets to help maintain healthy teeth and gums.