Should I keep my wisdom teeth?
Did you know that wisdom teeth, the third set of molars at the back of your mouth, are so called because they appear much later in life? In general, they fully erupt and take their place in the mouth in early adulthood, around the age of 18. They are called various names around the world: “teeth of 20 years” in Turkey, “teeth of love” in Korea, “teeth of reason” in Arabic, and “teeth that parents don’t know about” in Japan.
Should you keep your wisdom teeth or have them removed as a preventive measure? Wisdom teeth don’t have to be systematically removed during adolescence. However, it is important to consult us around the age of 16 for an assessment. This is so that we can take action in time in case the wisdom teeth don’t have enough room to grow properly. Normally, it is better to keep them if they are well aligned and if there is enough space. If not, their eruption can be problematic and cause complications. They may actually grow only partially, which may cause pain, and become a gateway for bacteria, which in turn can cause infection. Finally, they can also grow at an angle or remain in the gum, which can lead to complications.